KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Santana drove in three runs, Yan Gomes homered and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 Saturday night to move above .500 for the first time since April 9.
The Indians (77-76) have a winning record for the first time since they were 2-1 and remain three games back in the AL wild-card race. The Royals, who wrapped up the AL Central title with a victory Thursday, fell to 9-15 in September.
They no longer control their own destiny for home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. With the loss and the Toronto’s victory over Tampa Bay, the Blue Jays and Royals share the AL’s best record at 89-65. However, Toronto holds the tiebreaker by beating Kansas City in the season series.
Indians relievers Zach McAllister (4-4), Jeff Manship, Kyle Crockett and Bryan Shaw held the Royals hitless over the final 5 1-3 innings.