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CLEVELAND -- The Kansas City Royals believe they are in the American League playoff chase to stay. They might start convincing others, too. The Royals gained ground in the wild card race on Wednesday with a 6-2 win over the Cleveland Indians. Kansas City took two of three in the series between clubs that are in contention for the second wild card spot in the AL. The Royals, who entered Wednesday trailing Tampa Bay by three games, moved a game closer to the Indians. Cleveland came in 1 1/2 games behind the Rays. "To come in here and win a series against a tough Cleveland team was huge for us," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "Especially considering where we are at this point of the season. Losses hurt now. Youve got to try to really keep them at a minimum if you can." Alex Gordon homered on the games first pitch, and James Shields dominated after a shaky first inning for the Royals, who have won 13 of 18. "These guys have developed a lot of experience this year," Shields said. "Weve gone through so many ups and downs this year that weve been through every situation you can think of almost. These guys know what it takes. They know how to win." The Royals had a home run, a triple and a single within the games first seven pitches to take a 2-0 lead. Kansas City added another run in the first inning. Shields (11-9) gave up two runs, two hits, and hit a batter in the bottom half before he took control. Michael Brantley had a two-run single in the first, but Shields didnt allow another hit until Jason Kipnis leadoff single in the ninth. He retired 16 of 17 going into the ninth, but was removed after allowing singles to Kipnis and Carlos Santana. Shields allowed four hits, struck out seven and walked one. Greg Holland retired the last three hitters for his 42nd save. Gordon jumped on a 90 mph fastball from Scott Kazmir (8-8) and lined it into the seats in right field for his 13th career leadoff homer. "Its not my first rodeo, so Ive done it before," Gordon said. "Sometimes youve just got to mix it up, especially with Kazmir with his electric stuff." "He said he was going to do it," Yost said. "He picks his spots." Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain added RBI singles. The Indians won the first game of the series and finished 5-4 on their homestand, but failed to gain ground in the playoff chase for the second straight day. Cleveland will begin a seven-game trip in Chicago on Thursday. The Indians and Royals meet again in Kansas City next week for a three-game series. "Theyre a good team," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Theyre right where we are. Theyre a real good team." Kansas City went 26-18 in a stretch of 44 games in 44 days. Emilio Bonifacio followed Gordons homer with a triple, and Hosmer singled to centre to make it 2-0. Kazmir retired the next two hitters, but Justin Maxwell singled, and Cain lined a single to centre for the third run. Shields also struggled in the first. Michael Bourn walked and Mike Aviles was hit by a pitch. The runners moved up on a groundout, and Brantley singled to centre with two outs. Shields got the start following his shortest outing of the season, a start against Detroit on Friday in which he matched career worsts by allowing 10 runs and 14 hits in 3 2-3 innings in a 16-2 loss. He bounced back Wednesday and improved to 2-5 in 13 career starts against Cleveland. After the first, Shields pitched like the ace the Royals envisioned he would be when they acquired him from the Rays for outfielder Wil Myers, one of baseballs top prospects. The right-hander leads the AL with 207 2-3 innings pitched. "James comes off his arguably worst start of the year and has arguably his best start of the year," Yost said. "He just put us on his back today and carried us." Shields biggest problem came with his own defence when he made two errors in the third. He dropped a throw from Hosmer at first base, allowing Kipnis to reach safely. He then threw wildly to first trying to pick off Kipnis, but retired Santana to end the inning. Kazmir allowed four runs and nine hits in four innings. He struck out a season-high 12 over six scoreless innings in an 8-1 victory over the New York Mets in his last outing. NOTES: The Royals will skip LHP Danny Duffys next start, which was scheduled to be Friday in Detroit. LHP Bruce Chen will pitch that game instead. Right-handers Ervin Santana and Jeremy Guthrie will pitch Saturday and Sunday, respectively. ... Indians 1B Nick Swisher wasnt in the lineup. He is batting .167 (8 for 48) with 15 strikeouts against Shields, including three hits in his last 25 at-bats. ... SS Asdrubal Cabrera, in a 3-for-27 slump, was also out of the lineup. He pinch-hit in the ninth and struck out. ... Kansas Citys off day on Thursday is its first since Aug. 19. ... Indians RHP Corey Kluber (8-5) faces LHP John Danks (4-12) in the series opener against the White Sox. Air Jordan 1 Baratas Rebajas . The visitors missed a host of good chances to win the game, and were left to rue substitute Ivo Ilicevics strike against the crossbar in the 86th minute, when he only had the goalkeeper to beat. Air Jordan 1 Baratas España . - Titans quarterback Jake Locker will miss the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, leaving Tennessee trying to rally with Ryan Fitzpatrick. http://www.airjordan1baratas.es/ . -- Cole De Vries had a couple of key strikeouts during what could have been the inning that doomed him to defeat against the Kansas City Royals, allowing him to escape further damage and keep the game tied up. Comprar Air Jordan 1 Baratas .1 Sam Stosur will meet Germanys second-ranked player Andrea Petkovic in the opening match of the Fed Cup World Group semifinal. Air Jordan 1 Rebajas . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring.VANCOUVER - Offensive lineman Ben Archibald has retired, the B.C. Lions announced Friday. The CFL club has also released veteran linebacker Anton McKenzie. Archibald spent three seasons with B.C. after signing as a free agent in 2011. He began his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders in 08. Overall, Archibald appeared in 102 career regular-season games, six playoff contests and two Grey Cup victories (08 with Calgary, 11 with B.C.). "I was very blessed to enjoy a great CFL career," Archibald said in a statement. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have played for two great organizations in Calgary and B.C. and I will always treasure the memories from my time in the CFL." Added Lions GM Wally Buono: "BBen brought a quiet professionalism to the B.dddddddddddd. Lions and he was a great example of the complete player; good on the field, good in the dressing room and a great role model as a husband, father and teammate. We wish him and his family the very best in the future." McKenzie spent five seasons with B.C., appearing in 69 regular-season games. He began his CFL career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and earned Grey Cup rings with both clubs (07 with Saskatchewan, 11 with B.C.) "Anton gave everything he had each and every time he had the opportunity to do so," Lions head coach Mike Benevides said. "He has a very bright future ahead of him and were grateful for his services as a Lion." ' ' '