Tommy Pham hit his first home run for Kansas City, a crucial three-run drive in the four-run fourth inning, and the Royals ended their season-high seven-straight losses with a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night.
Seth Lugo (15-8) allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. He is one win behind Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Atlanta’s Chris Sale, who are tied for the major league lead. Lugo has an 11-1 record and a 1.40 ERA in 15 starts with four days of rest.
Kansas City (76-65) came within one percentage point of Minnesota (75-64) to secure the second AL wild card spot. The Royals and Twins are both 4 1/2 games behind AL Central leader Cleveland (80-60).
During the seven-game losing streak, the Royals had scored three or fewer runs in six consecutive games, the team’s longest such streak since Aug. 15-21, 2022. The Royals had scored two or fewer runs in five consecutive games, their longest stretch since June 7-13, 2018.
Pham, who was claimed off waivers by St. Louis on Saturday, broke a 1-1 tie with his home run against Ben Lively (11-9), who allowed seven hits in four innings. The smash deep into the left-field seats was Pham’s eighth home run of the season and gave him his first RBI with the Royals.
Paul DeJong reached first base with an infield single, Robbie Grossman singled for his first hit for the Royals since being signed from Texas on Saturday, and Michael Massey tied the game with a single.
José Ramírez gave Cleveland a 1-0 lead in the third inning with a two-out bloop single.
Kris Bubic struck out the team in the eighth inning and Lucas Erceg made his ninth save and sixth with the Royals with a 1-2-3 in the ninth inning.
TRAINING ROOM
Guardians: 1B Josh Naylor did not play after leaving Tuesday’s game with back spasms.
Royals: OF Hunter Renfroe (hamstring) was 0 for 4 with a sacrifice fly as he began a rehab assignment at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He has been on the 10-day IL since Aug. 25.
Squad changes
Royals INF CJ Alexander was claimed off waivers by Oakland. He was designated for assignment on Saturday.
Next
Guardians: LHP Matthew Boyd (1-1, 2.38) starts Friday in the series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Royals: LHP Cole Ragans (10-9, 3.46) starts the series opener on Friday against Minnesota and RHP Zebby Matthews (1-2, 7.41).
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
