Guthrie pitches Royals to win over Red Sox

Jeremy Guthrie retired the final 17 batters he faced, Omar Infante had three hits and drove in two runs, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Boston Red Sox 7-1 on Saturday night in Kansas City, Missouri.

Manager Ned Yost overhauled his batting order and got immediate results. The Royals scored seven runs for the first time since Aug. 19, a span of 22 games.

Nori Aoki, batting second for the first time this season, and Alex Gordon, who snapped an 0-for-22 skid, each had two hits, scored a run and drove in a run.

Infante, who usually bats second, was dropped to seventh and responded with three singles, including an eighth inning single that scored Lorenzo Cain. He also drove in a run in the third with a fielder’s choice.

Guthrie (11-11), who was roughed up for eight runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings in a loss Monday at Detroit, allowed three hits and one unearned run in eight innings.

Tigers 5, Indians 4 Alex Avila hit a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning and Detroit kept its slim A.L. Central lead, beating visiting Cleveland.

The Tigers remain a half-game ahead of Kansas City in the division.

Avila sent a full-count pitch from reliever Bryan Shaw (5-4) into the right-field stands for his 11th home run.

Victor Martinez also homered for Detroit.

Joba Chamberlain (2-5) pitched an inning of scoreless relief. Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 31st save.

Detroit right fielder Torii Hunter saved two runs in the eighth with a two-out, diving catch of Yan Gomes’ short fly ball with runners on second and third.

Michael Brantley homered for Cleveland.

Yankees 3, Orioles 2 Chris Young stole home in his latest surprising September performance, and New York Yankees beat A.L. East-leading host Baltimore, ending the Orioles’ longest winning streak of the season at six.

The Yankees bounced back after being swept in a doubleheader Friday. New York stayed on the fringe of the wild-card race while Baltimore’s magic number for clinching the division remained at five.

Cut by the Mets earlier this year, Young has seemed to deliver for the Yankees on a daily basis this week. He doubled during a three-run second off Miguel Gonzalez (9-8) and swiped home as part of a double steal.

Shane Greene (5-3) improved to 4-0 in seven road starts this season, including a victory at Camden Yards in July. He allowed two runs and seven hits, striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings.

David Robertson earned his 36th save, retiring Nick Markakis on a grounder for the final out with a runner on third.