By STEVE HERRICK
Associated Press
CLEVELAND (AP) — Francisco Lindor hit one of Cleveland’s three home runs, leading the Indians into first place in the AL Central with a 7-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.
Lindor, whose two-run homer came in the seventh inning, became the first Indians player to record three extra-base hits in a game this season. He also started an outstanding defensive play in the ninth. Playing in a shift near second base, he made a backhand stop of Kendrys Morales’ hard-hit grounder and flipped to third baseman Jose Ramirez, who was playing behind second. Ramirez threw to first for the out.
Tyler Naquin hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Mike Napoli started the four-run inning with a solo homer.
Josh Tomlin (8-1) bounced back from his first loss of the season and allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings. Ian Kennedy (4-4) gave up five runs in six innings.