The Royals' elimination number for the second AL Wild Card spot is six.
Kluber, who is vying for his second career AL Cy Young Award, limited Kansas City to two runs over 6 1/3 innings, in which he piled up nine strikeouts against a pair of walks. Kansas City's only breakthrough against Kluber came within a string of four consecutive two-out singles in the third inning. Kluber then struck out seven of the final 12 batters he faced.
Salvador Perez belted his 21st home run in the ninth off Tribe closer Cody Allen, who halted Kansas City's rally there for his 28th save of the year.