CLEVELAND (AP) Jeremy Guthrie got a major assist from his defense in pitching six innings, Alcides Escobar hit a rare home run and the Kansas City Royals snapped a six-game losing streak in Cleveland, 6-3 on Tuesday night to close on the Indians and two others in the AL’s cramped wild-card scramble.
Guthrie allowed just one run and nine hits, but was helped by three double plays.
With the win and Tampa Bay’s loss, Kansas City pulled within three games of a wild-card spot. The Royals also got a game tighter to the Indians, who dropped to 6-3 in September.
Mike Moustakas hit a two-run double in the sixth off Zach McAllister and the won’t-go-away Royals won for the 12th time in 17 games.
The series finale from Progressive Field between the Royals and Indians starts Wednesday at 11:05am central time.