CLEVELAND (AP) - Alex Gordon homered on the game's first pitch, James Shields dominated after a shaky first inning, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 6-2 on Wednesday in a matchup of teams fighting for an American League playoff spot.

Kansas City took two of three in the series between clubs that are in contention for the second wild card spot in the AL. The Royals, who entered Wednesday trailing Tampa Bay by three games, moved a game closer to the Indians. Cleveland was 1 1/2 games behind the Rays.

The Royals had a home run, a triple and a single on the game's first seven pitches to take a 2-0 lead. Kansas City added a run in the first inning.

Shields (11-9) gave up two runs, two hits, and hit a batter in the bottom half before taking control.