CLEVELAND (AP) — Tyler Anderson Jersey , Francisco Lindor shook the Indians from their early September slumber.The All-Star shortstop homered leading off the first again, Mike Clevinger struck out 10 and Cleveland moved closer to its third straight AL Central title with a 9-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.The Indians ended a three-game losing streak and reduced their magic number for clinching another division title to 10 following Minnesota’s 5-2 loss to Houston.After a 5-1 loss Monday night, Lindor, who sets the tone for Cleveland with everything he does, talked about the team being flat and needing a spark.He provided an early one with his sixth leadoff homer — one shy of the club record set by Grady Sizemore in 2008 — as the Indians jumped to a 3-0 lead on Danny Duffy (8-12), whose season is over because of a sore left shoulder.“That’s one of the reasons I wanted to be a leadoff hitter,” said Lindor, who has 31 homers. “To get things going.”Yandy Diaz hit his first major league homer and Jason Kipnis added two RBIs for Cleveland, which has the most commanding lead of any first-place team in the majors.Not only did the Royals have their season-high winning streak stopped at six, Duffy’s season came to an end rookie right fielder Brett Phillips bruised his right shoulder on a scary collision into the wall.Duffy was on the disabled list from Aug. 13-23 with shoulder issues.“I’m crushed about it,” Duffy said. “I get paid to pay baseball. I take pride that if you have an able body you should go. My body just said it was enough today.”Staked to a 6-0 lead after two innings, Clevinger (11-7) allowed just three hits in six innings and remained unbeaten in his last seven starts. The right-hander, who could have a big role for the Indians in October, had a little more velocity on his fastball and struck out six of nine in one dominant stretch.Diaz picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice and Kipnis, who is moving from second base to center field http://www.rockiesfanproshop.com/authentic-antonio-senzatela-jersey , singled home a run in the inning before Duffy was removed after 26 pitches. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012.The Indians added three runs in the second off Burch Smith on Jose Ramirez’s double, Edwin Encarnacion’s sacrifice fly and Brandon Guyer’s RBI single.DON’T DO THATLindor got hit on the right forearm in his second at-bat by Smith, but didn’t think the Royals were throwing at him.“If he was trying to hit me, it’s OK,” Lindor said. “He hit me in the right spot. We weren’t throwing at each other, if that’s what you guys are trying to get to.”Clevinger wasn’t so sure, and sent a warning to Kansas City.“I think that would be very unwise of the whole Royals organization,” he said. “Especially as much as we see them and the arms we have over here. I hope not. And I think for their sake, they’d better hope not either.The Royals also hit Rajai Davis and the Indians plunked Brian Goodwin and Adalberto Mondesi.CRASH TESTPhillips was fortunate he wasn’t more seriously hurt after banging hard into the wall in the second inning.Breaking back on Ramirez’s drive, Phillips just missed making a catch before barreling full-speed into the wall. His torso twisted awkwardly and he crumpled onto the warning track. His teammates and a trainer rushed to Phillips, who got to his feet and remained in the game after being examined.Phillips was removed the next inning. He had a sling on his arm following the game.Manager Ned Yost did not provide any further details on Phillips’ injury.MOVING TIMEKipnis isn’t thrilled about having to change positions, but he’s willing to do it as long as Josh Donaldson is healthy.The Indians acquired Donaldson — the 2015 AL MVP — in a trade with Toronto, and once activated from the disabled list, he’ll take over at third with Ramirez going to second and Kipnis heading to the outfield.Kipnis did the same thing a year ago.“Does it take a little wind out of my sails?” he said. “A little bit. But not enough to get me to stop working, stop competing.”TRAINER’S ROOMRoyals: C Salvador Perez (sprained left thumb) was out of the lineup for the sixth straight game. The six-time All-Star was injured Aug. 28.Indians: LHP Andrew Miller is expected to throw a bullpen session on Thursday in Toronto as he recovers from shoulder soreness that landed him on the disabled list. Miller has been on the DL three times this season Chris Rusin Jersey , but the reliever isn’t concerned about his latest issue which he has previously dealt with in spring training. The former All-Star left-hander has also been out with hamstring and knee injuries.UP NEXTCorey Kluber tries to become the majors’ first 18-game winner as the Indians conclude their three-game series with the Royals, who will start Brad Keller. WASHINGTON (AP) — The players remaining on the Washington Nationals don’t want to be written off just yet.Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning to lift the Nationals over the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 on Wednesday night.Juan Soto’s two-out double against Seranthony Dominguez (1-4) set up Zimmerman. His drive landed just above the right-field wall and required video review before umpires confirmed the homer. Zimmerman has 11 walkoff home runs for his career, trailing only Albert Pujols (12) among active players.“Ninth inning in a close game and the other team has the lead, those (closers) are usually pretty good,” said Zimmerman after his first walk-off homer since May 15, 2016. “I kind of put the pressure on them. They’re supposed to get me out.”Soto nearly ruined Washington’s fun. Zimmerman remained on second base during the review. After the final call, the excited 19-year-old ran from home toward the infield as Zimmerman neared third base.“Get away,” Zimmerman said of his thoughts in the moment. “I don’t even know the rules, but get away. That would have been awful.”Manager Davey Martinez knew the rule.“If he touches (Ryan), he’s out. I was screaming bloody murder,” Martinez said.Maikel Franco, Justin Bour and Cesar Hernandez homered for the Phillies, who led 7-5 in the seventh. Philadelphia, which has lost four in a row and nine of 13, fell three games behind NL East-leading Atlanta.“Big challenge to have a tough week like we’ve had and then to have an excruciating loss like the one we had tonight http://www.rockiesfanproshop.com/authentic-wade-davis-jersey ,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. “Our guys aren’t going to hang our heads. We’re going to come back swinging tomorrow.”Stephen Strasburg allowed five runs and seven hits over four innings for Washington in his first start since being placed on the 10-day disabled list on July 26 with a cervical nerve impingement.Bryce Harper had three hits with a run-scoring double and a stolen base for Washington.Matt Grace (1-1) worked 1/3 of an inning for Washington, which has won two in a row since trading second baseman Daniel Murphy and key reserve Matt Adams on Tuesday. The Nationals are 7 1/2 games behind Atlanta for the NL East lead.Pinch-hitter Andrew Stevenson’s sacrifice fly in the eighth cut the Phillies lead to 7-6.Dominguez, who has three blown saves in August, threw three sliders to Zimmerman before going fastball on the decisive 2-1 pitch.“I was throwing sliders, but then when I was behind in the count I was looking for the corners,” Dominquez said via an interpreter. “My plan was yes to make him uncomfortable with the sliders.”Strasburg made just his second start since June 8. After returning from a DL stint due to shoulder inflammation, the right-hander surrendered six runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings in a losing start against Atlanta on July 20 before returning to the disabled list. He has not made it past the fifth inning in three consecutive starts.Though Strasburg struck out the side in the first inning, he allowed four consecutive two-out hits and three runs in between. Franco turned on a hanging curveball for his 21st homer of the season as the Phillies led 3-0.“I spent the last two months just fuming over (not being with the team),” Strasburg said. “I was happy to be back out there tonight. Great win for us.”Philadelphia starter Zach Elfin allowed five runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings.NEW GUYPhiladelphia acquired left-hander reliever Luis Avilan from the Chicago White Sox before the game in exchange for pitcher Felix Paulino. Avilan had a 3.86 ERA in 39 2/3 innings this season.SLOWING DOWNThe velocity on Strasburg’s fastballs dipped into the low 90s in his final inning. The pitcher and manager primarily cited lack of endurance after the lengthy absence. “It was a work in progress,” Strasburg said. “It’s obviously been a while. Learned some things from it and take it into the next (start).”TRAINER’S ROOMPhillies: Kapler revealed a left wrist injury suffered in Sunday’s loss to the New York Mets kept C Wilson Ramos out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive day. Ramos was available to pinch-hit or enter defensively for an inning if needed.Nationals: With Strasburg reinstated, Washington optioned infielder Adrian Sanchez to Triple-A Syracuse.UP NEXTPhillies: RHP Aaron Nola (14-3, 2.24) is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in two starts against Washington this season.Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (16-5, 2.11) is 16 strikeouts shy of a fifth consecutive season with at least 250.