Shane Bieber was in tune for eight innings, Jose Ramirez drove in two runs and the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Tuesday.
Bieber (9-8) allowed one run on four hits, striking out seven and giving up one walk.
The pitcher is now 5-0 in his career against the Royals. In his last eight starts against Kansas City, Bieber has a 1.79 ERA (11 runs in 55 1/3 innings).
The Guardians increased their lead to a game and a half over Minnesota, whose game of the day was rained out. The Twins will play a doubleheader at the Yankees’ home in New York on Wednesday.
The Royals lost their 82nd game, which means they will finish with a losing record for the sixth straight season.
Venezuelan Salvador Pérez hit his 20th home run for Kansas City and for the sixth season he reached that number.
Perez tied Mike Sweeney for the second-most 20-homer seasons on the team, trailing only George Brett, who had eight.
James Karinchak pitched the ninth for his first save.
Kris Bubic (2-11) gave up three runs on six hits and a walk, in addition to striking out four, in 6 1/3 innings.
For the Royals, Venezuelan Salvador Pérez 4-1, one run scored, one RBI.
For the Guardians, the Dominicans Amed Rosario 4-1; José Ramírez 4-1, two produced, and Oscar González 4-1, one scored. The Venezuelan Andrés Giménez 3-2.