The Cleveland Indians cut Kansas City's lead to 4-3 in the seventh inning of Friday's game, but the Royals were able to put the game away in the eighth and secure a 6-3 win.
Kansas City led 4-1 after the fifth inning, with Cleveland's only run coming on an RBI single by Michael Brantley in the third.
The Indians had a big seventh inning that could've been bigger after the first two runners reached base with nobody out. Royals reliever Tim Collins was able to get Jason Kipnis to ground out and Asdrubal Cabrera to strike out before Carlos Santana drove in both runners with a single. Brantley ended the inning with a line-out.
Kansas City struck back in the eighth with a sacrifice fly by Eric Hosmer and an RBI-double by Brayan Pena to put the Royals back up by three. Greg Holland pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
Justin Masterson (11-15, 4.97 ERA) took the loss after giving up four runs in six innings. Luis Mendoza (8-9, 4.44 ERA) picked up the win after giving up two runs in six innings.
Visit Lets Go Tribe for everything on the Indians and check out Royals Review for more on the Royals. Visit Baseball Nation for news and notes from all 30 MLB teams.