Corey Kluber became the first 18-game winner in the majors this season, striking out 10 and pitching the Cleveland Indians past the Royals 3-1 Wednesday.
The Indians moved closer to the third straight AL Central title and reduced their magic number for clinching the division to nine.
The Royals lost their second straight game after winning six in a row, including the three-game series opener in Cleveland, and becoming the first major-league team to score at least five runs in nine straight games.
Kluber (18-7) allowed one run and two hits in 6 2/3 innings.