C.C. lifts Indians past K.C.

The Tribe wrapped up home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — C.C. Sabathia picked up his 100th career victory and the Cleveland Indians wrapped up home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs, beating the Kansas City Royals 5-3 Friday night.

The Indians claimed their 95th victory, tying them with the Boston Red Sox for the most wins in the American League. The Red Sox, however, hold the tiebreaker by taking five of seven from Cleveland.

The AL Central champions will open the playoffs at home against the New York Yankees, while the Red Sox will open against the Los Angeles Angels in Boston.

Sabathia (19-7) won his 100th game at the age of 27 years, 100 days, the youngest pitcher since Greg Maddux in 1993 to reach 100 wins. Sabathia is 5-0 in his past six starts, and held the Royals to three runs and eight hits in seven innings.

The Indians got a scare in the fifth when Mark Grudzielanek’s line drive struck the left-hander in his pitching arm. Manager Eric Wedge and a trainer rushed to the mound, but Sabathia remained in the game after a couple of warmup tosses.

Joe Borowski worked the ninth for his American League-leading 44th save in 52 opportunities.

Jumping out

The Indians jumped out to a 3-0 lead off Royals right-hander Kyle Davies.

Asdrubal Cabrera walked in the first before Travis Hafner hit his 24th home run, and Kenny Lofton hit a run-scoring triple in the second.

The Royals broke a 19-inning scoreless drought in the bottom of the inning when Esteban German hit a two-run home run, his first in 101 at-bats dating to July 22.

The Royals tied it in the third when Mike Sweeney, who had singled, scored on Emil Brown’s double. But the Indians regained the lead in the fourth when Casey Blake and Cabrera stroked run-producing singles.

Davies (3-7) allowed five runs and five hits with four walks in 32⁄3 innings, throwing just 42 strikes in 80 pitches.

The loss, coupled with a Chicago White Sox victory over Detroit, assured the Royals of their fourth straight last-place finish in the AL Central.

Notes

Sabathia joined Fausto Carmona as a 19-game winner. It is the first time the Indians have had multiple 19-game winners since 1956, when Herb Score, Early Wynn and Bob Lemon each won 20. ... The Royals have scratched LHP Jorge De La Rosa, who was used in relief Thursday, from a Sunday start. They have not yet named who will replace him. ... The Royals have lost five of six and 17 of 23.