CLEVELAND, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Sean O'Sullivan took a shutout into the seventh inning Thursday and the Kansas City Royals came up with two home runs to defeat Cleveland 4-2.
The Royals and Indians are battling to stay out of last place in the American League Central. The win boosted Kansas City 1 1/2 games in front of the Indians.
O'Sullivan (3-6) allowed three hits through six innings, but walked Shelley Duncan and gave up a double to Jayson Nix to start the seventh.
Philip Humber came on to replace O'Sullivan, who left with a 3-0 lead, and although both runners eventually scored the Kansas City bullpen was able to shut down the Indians the rest of the way.
Joakim Soria struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 41st save.
Mike Aviles hit a solo homer during Kansas City's two-run first inning and Kila Ka'aihue added a solo blast in the eighth to give the Royals a 4-2 lead.
Mitch Talbot (9-13) gave up three runs on five hits in five innings to take the loss. Cleveland has dropped five straight.
