CLEVELAND — CLEVELAND (AP) — Kyle Isbel delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning to score Adam Frazier, two innings after tying the score, and the Kansas City Royals defeated the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians 4-3 on Thursday.
Frazier doubled Hunter Gaddis (3-2) with two outs in the eighth and Isbel followed with a liner to right, giving Kansas City a split of the two-game series. The clubs were rained out on Wednesday.
“I had a lot of opportunities today, late in the game, with a chance to take the lead,” Isbel said. “I hit the ball well and got a good pitch to hit.”
The Royals moved within four games of Cleveland in the division, winning for the third time in 10 games since May 25. Sam Long (1-1) pitched the seventh and James McArthur picked up his 12th save as the Kansas City bullpen pitched 5 1/3 hitless innings.
“We won’t win if they don’t put the zeros in,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “The Guardians have also been through many of these games and that is why these teams are winning.”
José Ramírez hit a solo home run and drove in two runs for the Guardians, who have the third-best record in baseball at 40-21 behind the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. Cleveland entered the day an MLB-best 21-7 at home.
Isbel was in the lineup for the first time since Sunday, when he suffered a head injury in a collision with teammate Bobby Witt Jr. against San Diego. He is also recovering from minor facial fractures after fouling the face in Tampa Bay on May 25.
“Some freak accidents,” Isbel said. “I don’t wish this on anyone, but I’m feeling good.”
Kansas City scored twice in the sixth to tie it at 3. Hunter Renfroe doubled in Freddy Fermin, and MJ Melendez skipped the scoring attempt from Guardians catcher Bo Naylor and connected on Isbel’s grounder. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy called Melendez out, but was overruled on a replay challenge by the Royals.
“It was a tough play, just an unfortunate turn of events that didn’t go our way,” Cleveland coach Stephen Vogt said. “I didn’t see the replay, but I’m sure they got it right.”
Ramírez, who leads the majors with 60 RBIs, gave the Guardians a 2-1 lead in the third with a 422-foot blast into the right field stands. He also scored Steven Kwan in the fourth to make it 3-1, chasing Royals starter Brady Singer.
“I think I tried everything against (Ramírez) and he still got me,” Singer said. “He’s a very, very good hitter.”
Ramírez homered for the eighth time in 20 games and has 50 RBIs in his last 46 games. He also passed Manny Ramirez for eighth in franchise history with 806 career RBIs.
Guardians starter Tanner Bibee struck out seven in five innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits. Singer went 3 2/3 innings and gave up two earned runs after missing his previous shift in the rotation due to illness.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: 2B Michael Massey (lumbar ligament strain), who was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 26, will be re-evaluated on Friday in Kansas City.
Guardians: RHP Eli Morgan (right elbow inflammation) had a “small layoff, but will restart his throwing progression,” according to Vogt.
NEXT
Royals: LHP Daniel Lynch IV (0-0, 1.50 ERA) faces Mariners RHP Bryce Miller (5-5, 3.18) as Kansas City begins a seven-game homestand on Friday.
Guardians: LHP Logan Allen (6-3, 5.83 ERA) faces Marlins LHP Ryan Weathers (3-5, 3.41 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series on Friday.
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