CLEVELAND
The Royals’ reign in the American League Central came to a sudden end Wednesday night. It lasted 363 days and included a second straight pennant, a franchise's second World Series championship and the most raucous parade in Kansas City history. It expired here at Progressive Field, succumbing to injuries, fatigue, an inconsistent bullpen and a successful insurgency from the Cleveland Indians.
This was the end. On a Wednesday night in downtown Cleveland, the Royals suffered a 4-3 loss to those Indians, the team that is likely to clinch the division title in the coming days. The loss left Kansas City 11 1/2 games out with 10 play, officially eliminating it from the AL Central race.