Wells hits a three-run home run and drives in four, as the Yankees beat the Royals 10-4

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Wells hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and added an RBI double…

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Wells hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning and added an RBI double in the eighth as the New York Yankees cruised to a 10-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night and extended their lead in the AL East.

The Yankees (83-61) surpassed last season’s win total and took a 1 1/2 game lead over the Orioles, who suffered a 12-3 loss at Boston.

Aaron Judge hit a tying single off James McArthur and four pitches later, Wells lifted a 2-1 fastball into the lower rows of the right-field bleachers to extend New York’s lead to 7-4.

The 404-footer was Wells’ seventh in his last 36 games since July 21 and sixth as New York’s cleanup hitter behind Judge.

Hunter Renfroe led off the sixth with a home run to give the Royals a 4-3 lead before the Yankees rallied against McArthur (5-7) and scored the game’s final seven runs.

Gleyber Torres singled into the infield after Bobby Witt Jr. made a diving save at shortstop and Juan Soto walked. Judge, who hasn’t hit a home run in 13 games, followed with a single to left field to easily score Torres.

Jasson Dominguez singled, stole third base and scored New York’s first run on a throwing error by catcher Salvador Perez. Alex Verdugo hit a two-run home run to give the Yankees a brief 3-2 lead.

Verdugo hit his second home run since the All-Star break after the Yankees recalled Dominguez to play left field. Dominguez started in center field and hit 1 for 4 while Judge was the designated hitter.

Torres hit an RBI single in the eighth before Wells hit a double off the left-field wall as the Yankees scored double-digit runs for the 13th time this season.

Perez hit a home run, went 4 for 4 and drove in Kansas City’s first three runs as the Royals capitalized on a shaky defense to take an early lead.

He hit an RBI single off Carlos Rodón in the first inning after Tommy Pham led off the game by reaching on a throwing error by third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr., who threw low to first base.

Perez homered in the third for a 2-0 lead and hit a tying single in the fifth on a miscommunication between Torres and Soto on a fly ball.

Rodón allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits in six innings.

Jake Cousins (2-1) struck out pinch-hitter Kyle Isbel in the seventh and Luke Weaver gave up two in the eighth. Ian Hamilton pitched a 1-2-3 ninth in his first appearance since June 16.

Kansas City starter Brady Singer allowed three runs and five hits in five innings.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Yankees: INF DJ LeMahieu (right hip impingement) was placed on the 10-day injured list and could miss the remainder of the season. … INF Jon Berti was activated after missing 90 games with a left calf strain.

FOLLOWING

Royals right-handed pitcher Seth Lugo (15-8, 3.08 ERA) will face New York right-hander Marcus Stroman (10-7, 4.03) on Tuesday.

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