KANSAS CITY, Mo. — — Pablo Reyes stumbled, stopped and still scrambled home safely on a wild play in the eighth inning Thursday night, taking advantage of a throwing error by reliever Lucas Erceg to give the New York Yankees a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
New York completed a three-game sweep
Backed by some brilliant defense, Will Warren and four relievers combined on a five-hitter as the AL East-leading Yankees (42-25) moved a season-high 17 games over .500.
With two on and two outs in the eighth, Paul Goldschmidt lined a single off the glove of leaping first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. He tracked down the ball behind him and threw to Erceg (1-2) covering first, but Goldschmidt beat the play.
Reyes lost his balance coming around third, changed direction twice and then slid home safely when Erceg bounced his throw to the plate.
Royals RHP Michael Wacha (3-5, 3.01 ERA) starts Friday at home against the Athletics at 7:10.