CLEVELAND – Rookie Jhonkensy Noel hit home a seventh-inning single off Josh Naylor to bring home the game-winning run as the Cleveland Guardians cruised to a 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals and regained sole possession of first place in the American League Central on Wednesday.
Trailing 5-2 early in the seventh, the Guardians scored four times to take their first lead. Bo Naylor hit a home run off starter Michael Wacha, while Josh Naylor, Will Brennan and Noel hit RBI singles off Lucas Erceg (2-4).
Andres Gimenez hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and Cleveland managed its 37th comeback win to avoid a four-game sweep of the series, giving Cleveland the MLB lead. The Guardians were alone atop the division for 154 days until Kansas City pulled a tie on Tuesday.
“We haven’t looked like ourselves in a while, but we were in this inning,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “The response from our guys was great. Erceg was very good, but Will brought a big swing and Big Christmas (Noel) once again impressed.”
Kansas City’s seven-game road winning streak has ended, and its record since the All-Star break is 23-14. The Royals, who secured the season tiebreaker over the Guardians, host Cleveland for three games next week.
Erceg was charged with one run allowed, his first in 12 appearances and 13 1/3 innings since joining Kansas City as part of a trade from Oakland on July 30.
“This is a tough goodbye for us, but we came here and did what we had to do,” said Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who set a career high with four hits. “I think we have their respect and they have ours. It’s going to be a fun month.”
Eli Morgan (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. Emmanuel Clase earned his AL-best 39th save — along with his career-best 26th consecutive conversion — and tied Cody Allen’s franchise record with 149.
“The competitive spirit that Clase brings to the game and the attitude he brings to the end of the game is great. It’s great to have him there in the closing stages of a game,” said Bo Naylor. “The atmosphere today was electric, back to what we’ve known all year. This was definitely a big step in the right direction.”
Bobby Witt Jr., Pasquantino and Michael Massey hit home runs against Guardians ace Tanner Bibee, who allowed five runs in five innings. Witt went 2 for 5 and continues to lead baseball with a .346 batting average, 185 hits and 114 runs.
Wacha was denied his 100th career win as he pitched over six innings and allowed five runs.
Jhonkensy Noel of the Cleveland Guardians hits a single in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase celebrates after the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Kansas City Royals in a baseball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Bo Naylor (right) of the Cleveland Guardians is congratulated by teammate Steven Kwan (38) as he crosses home plate in front of Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin (right) and hits a home run in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha dries off in the dugout after being taken out of the game in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Vinnie Pasquantino (9) of the Kansas City Royals is congratulated as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Josh Naylor (22) of the Cleveland Guardians hits a fielder’s choice and scores a run to Andres Gimenez in the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Michael Massey (right) of the Kansas City Royals is congratulated by third base coach Vance Wilson (25) as he heads to home plate with a home run in the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals drops his bat as he issues a walk in the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Tanner Bibee of the Cleveland Guardians throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)