MLB: Kansas City 5, Cleveland 4

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 19 (UPI) -- Bruce Chen held the Indians to two runs over seven innings Tuesday, sparking the Kansas City Royals to a 5-4 win over Cleveland.

Chen (3-0) won his seventh consecutive decision stretching back to last year, surrendering six hits and three walks while striking out five as the Royals avoided a season-worst third straight loss.

The Kansas City bullpen barely hung on for the win. Blake Wood gave up a run in the eighth as Cleveland cut its deficit to 5-3.

Royals closer Joakim Soria struggled in the ninth, issuing a bases-loaded walk to Shin-Soo Choo before striking out Carlos Santana for the final out and recording his fifth save.

Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar each had a two hits and an RBI for Kansas City.

Cleveland starter Jeanmar Gomez (0-1) was lit up for five runs on nine hits over 4 4 1/3 innings as the American League Central-leading Indians lost for the first time in five meetings with the Royals.