Royals 7, Indians 1: Yordano Ventura permitted four hits over seven scoreless innings as visiting Kansas City inched closer to wrapping up a postseason slot.

Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez each had two hits and two RBIs and Omar Infante delivered a two-run double as the Royals opened a three-game lead over Seattle for the final American League wild card spot with five to play. Ventura (14-10) struck out six as Kansas City remained one game behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central and pushed Cleveland to the brink of elimination.

Danny Salazar (6-8) fizzled after a strong start and was knocked out after 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out eight. Michael Brantley had two of the five hits for the Indians, who dropped 4 1/2 games out of the second wild card.

Salazar struck out the side in each of the first two innings but Kansas City broke through in the top of the fourth when Butler drew a leadoff walk and Gordon singled before Infante doubled into the left-field corner to plate both runners. Back-to-back doubles by Eric Hosmer and Butler produced a run in the fifth, and after Gordon was intentionally walked, Perez doubled home a pair for a 5-0 edge.

The Royals continued on the offensive in the seventh against relievers Nick Hagadone and Scott Atchison, with Gordon's two-run double to deep center turning it into a rout. The Indians loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning but Ventura fanned Jose Ramirez to escape the threat.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Brantley extended his hitting streak to 14 games and has 196 hits - the most in a season by a Cleveland player since Kenny Lofton had 210 in 1996. ... Ventura registered his 11th consecutive quality start and improved to 7-2 in that span. ... Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco apologized for comments following Monday's game in which he criticized the team's defense, calling his remarks "very immature" and vowed it won't happen again.