Gavin Williams threw seven strong innings, and the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Monday.
Lane Thomas and Josh Naylor each hit two-run home runs for Cleveland, which leads the AL Central and has won four out of its last five games.
Williams (3-7) gave up one run and one hit in a promising September outing, bouncing back after going 1-4 with a 6.56 ERA in five starts last month.
“Filling up the zone,” Williams said. “Talking with (catcher) Bo (Naylor) and having a better plan. Just seeing the way they took different pitches.”
The right-hander walked two batters while throwing 46 pitches in the first two innings but then retired his last 16 batters.
“The first couple of innings he was fighting himself,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “Made an adjustment. To go seven was much needed, for him, for us, and everything.”
The Guardians started the day with a 3 1/2-game lead over Minnesota and Kansas City in the division.
The Royals played without manager Matt Quatraro, who was absent due to a personal matter. Bench coach Paul Hoover managed the team in Quatraro’s place.
Kansas City ended up with two hits in its sixth straight loss, a season high.
“The ball’s not bouncing our way,” Royals infielder Michael Massey said. “We’ve gone through streaks where the ball hits on the right side of the chalk line and streaks where it hits the wrong side. We’re just on the wrong side right now.”
Thomas’ ninth home run of the season gave Cleveland a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning. It was Thomas’ first homer since being traded from Washington on July 29.
“All you want to do is contribute,” Thomas said. “It was nice to give Gavin a little support there.”
