Rookie C.J. Kayfus belted a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning, lifting the Cleveland Guardians to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

John Schreiber (3-3) gave up a single to Bo Naylor to begin the inning, then allowed Kayfus’ 425-foot rocket to center field that gave Cleveland its first lead of the game. Kayfus has three home runs in 95 at-bats since making his debut on Aug. 2.

The Guardians (75-71) moved within three games of the idle Seattle Mariners for the third and final American League wild-card spot. Kansas City (74-73) is 4 1/2 games behind after dropping three of four in the series.

Matt Festa (4-3) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the victory, and Cade Smith recorded the final three outs for his 13th save in 18 opportunities. Cleveland is 3-1 on a seven-game homestand that continues with three games against the club with the AL’s worst record, the Chicago White Sox.

The Royals went up 2-0 in the first on Vinnie Pasquantino’s two-run homer off Gavin Williams, which followed a walk to Mike Yastrzemski. The long ball was the 30th of the year for Pasquantino, who joined George Brett, John Mayberry and Mike Moustakas as the only left-handed batters in Royals history to reach the figure in a season.

Cleveland pulled within 2-1 in the fourth when Steven Kwan doubled and scored on Jose Ramirez’s groundout, but the Guardians didn’t advance another runner past second base until Kayfus’ blast.

Williams allowed two runs on four hits over six innings, walking three with six strikeouts. The right-hander, who is 5-1 with 70 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings over his past 12 starts, leads the majors with 79 bases on balls issued.

Royals starter Stephen Kolek worked 6 2/3 innings, giving up one run on three hits with four strikeouts and a walk. The right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA since being acquired from the San Diego Padres on July 31.

–Field Level Media