Taylor gets winning hit as Royals beat slumping Guardians

By AVERY OSEN
Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael A. Taylor hit a game-ending RBI single, and the Kansas City Royals beat the slumping Cleveland Guardians 4-3. Vinnie Pasquantino opened the Kansas City ninth with a double to right against Sam Hentges (2-1) that nearly cleared the fence.  Edward Olivares then entered the game as a pinch-runner. After Kyle Isbel struck out on a foul bunt, Taylor poked a 1-2 pitch into right for the winning hit. Cleveland led 3-1 after seven innings, but Whit Merrifield hit a tying two-run homer in the eighth against Eli Morgan. It was just his second homer in 42 games. The Guardians have lost five straight and seven of eight overall.