Royals 6, Indians 2: James Shields pitched into the ninth inning while Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain each recorded two hits and an RBI as visiting Kansas City claimed the rubber game of the series.

Shields (11-9) allowed two runs, four hits and struck out seven in eight-plus innings to improve to 9-3 on the road and Greg Holland struck out the final three for his 42nd save. Emilio Bonifacio had three hits and scored twice while Alex Gordon added a solo homer for the Royals, who moved within two games of Tampa Bay for the second American League wild-card spot.

Michael Brantley knocked in a pair of runs for the Indians, who trail the Rays by 1 1/2 games in the AL wild-card race. Cleveland starter Scott Kazmir (8-8) yielded four runs – three in the first -- and nine hits over four-plus innings, dropping to 1-4 in his last six outings.

Kansas City sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring three times on a leadoff blast by Gordon and RBI singles from Hosmer and Cain. The Indians responded in the bottom of the frame with a two-out, two-run single up the middle by Brantley.

Bonifacio singled to lead off the fifth, moved to second Kazmir’s error on a pickoff throw and scored on a double-play grounder for a 4-2 lead. Gordon walked and later scored on reliever Rich Hill’s error on a pickoff attempt in the seventh and Mike Moustakas added a two-out, RBI single in the eighth for the Royals.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Shields reached 200 innings pitched for the seventh straight season. The right-hander, who did not give up a hit from the second through the eighth inning Wednesday, has thrown 207 2/3 frames in 2013. … Indians RHP Bryan Shaw pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings after replacing Kazmir, striking out three. … The Royals have Thursday off before playing three at AL Central-leading Detroit and hosting Cleveland Sept. 16-18. The Indians start a four-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.