Walks, error prove costly for Royals in loss

KANSAS CITY — While the Royals were on the eve of their season finale, Indians starter Trevor Bauer took the mound at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday knowing it would not be his final outing this year. Bauer was making his final tuneup start in preparation for the American League Division Series.

In a 6-3 win for the Indians, Bauer provided Cleveland with a quality start, allowing three runs over six innings with nine strikeouts. The next time Bauer starts will be against the Red Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday. Corey Kluber will start Game 2 on Friday.

“I think he relishes what’s ahead of him,” manager Terry Francona said of Bauer. “He’s going to go up against a good lineup, but I think he’ll be OK.”

With the win, Cleveland (93-67) pulled even with the Red Sox in the battle to open the ALDS at home. If Boston were to lose to Toronto Saturday night, Cleveland would move a half-game ahead in the standings. If the Indians finish ahead of the Red Sox through Sunday’s action, the Tribe will need to play a makeup game on Monday in Detroit to determine whether the ALDS begins in Cleveland or Boston on Thursday. In the event of an even record, the Red Sox own the tiebreaker.

Right-hander Edinson Volquez, a pending free agent, might have pitched his last game in a Royals uniform. He logged five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and ending with five strikeouts against four walks. Tyler Naquin (RBI single) and Lonnie Chisenhall (sacrifice fly) each came through against the righty. Chisenhall also tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the third inning.

“I hope it’s not [my last game with Royals],” Volquez said. “We’ll just have to see, after the World Series, what happens. You never know.”

Against Bauer, Kansas City struck for one run in the third — courtesy of three straight singles by Drew Butera, Jarrod Dyson and Whit Merrifield — and twice in the sixth. Outfielder Paulo Orlando doubled home a run and scored on a single by shortstop Alcides Escobar in that breakthrough.

“I thought, again, I threw the ball better than the results show,” Bauer said. “I guess at some point, things will start going my way and the results will match how I pitch. Hopefully, that’s the next outing.”

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDRunning to victory: The Indians entered Saturday with an AL-leading 17.2 Baserunning rating, according to Fangraphs. The Tribe’s skills on the bases were on display again in the win over the Royals. Cleveland stole two bases, took …

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