The Kansas City Royals continue their surge back toward the thick of the wild card hunt, using a four-run sixth inning to put away the Cleveland Guardians 8-3 on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Progressive Field.

Cleveland got on the board first with a two-run home run in the fourth by Angel Martínez. The Royals would respond in the fifth when Isaac Collins cleared the bases with a double to tie the game. Kansas City took the lead in the sixth with a Salvador Perez double to bring home Bobby Witt Jr. A single by Nick Loftin loaded the bases for pinch hitter John Rave, who reached on a fielding error by José Ramírez. The bases would remain loaded after a forceout at the plate on the next at-bat, setting up Josh Rojas’ two-RBI single. Rojas would have a two-run home run in the eighth to cap the Royals’ scoring, while Martínez added an RBI single with one out in the ninth.

Daniel Lynch IV went 3.1 innings in his start, allowing Martínez’ home run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Anthony Gose had a spotless 1.2 innings afterward to take the win, as the bullpen retired the first 14 batters they faced. Colin Holderman was charged with four runs (one unearned) on four hits in the loss, lasting just one-third of an inning, while Foster Griffin lasted five innings in his start, striking out four while allowing two runs on four hits and a walk.

The Royals are now 62-75, winners of 12 of their past 13 games and now 6.5 behind Cleveland in the wild card race. The Royals can claim a sweep Sunday afternoon with Seth Lugo on the mound against Parker Messick. Pregame coverage begins at noon on KMMO AM 1300, with first pitch around 12:40 p.m.