Wade and Chapman hit 2 homers each, Roupp wins 1st in Giants 9-0 victory over slipping Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — LaMonte Wade Jr. and Matt Chapman hit two home runs each, Landen Roupp pitched five scoreless innings for his first major league win, and the San Francisco Giants handed the Kansas City Royals their sixth straight loss, 9-0 on Saturday.

The Royals are clinging to the AL's second wild-card berth. Kansas City’s lead over the Minnesota Twins — who were rained out Saturday — was reduced to a half game. The Tigers are another one half game behind the Twins.

Wade put the Giants ahead with two out in the first inning, lining a first-pitch solo homer above the right field bullpen.

Wade led off the fourth with a drive down the right field line and Chapman followed with a blast to straightaway center, marking the seventh time the Giants have had back-to-back homers this season. It was the first multi-homer game of Wade's career.

The Giants batted around and scored six runs in the sixth for a 9-0 lead. Chapman hit his 26th of the season with one out for his 12th career multi-homer game.

Curt Casali added a two-run single and Mike Yastrzemski capped the frame with a three-run homer. Yastrzemski has five home runs in his last 10 games and 18 this season.

Roupp (1-1), making his third career start shut out the Royals on three hits, walking three and striking out three, holding Kansas City hitters to 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

Brady Singer (9-12) allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk with six strikeouts and a season-high four home runs over 5 1/3 innings.

The Giants have won four of five games, hitting nine home runs and outscoring opponents 29-9.

MJ Melendez had two hits for the Royals, who have lost six straight while hitting 8 for 52 with runners in scoring position in that stretch.

TRANSACTIONS:

Giants: IF Matt Chapman was reinstated from paternity list. ... IF Marco Luciano was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

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Giants LHP Blake Snell (4-3, 3.31 ERA) opposes RHP Seth Lugo (16-8, 3.05) in the Royals final regular-season home game on Sunday.

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San Francisco Giants' Michael Conforto is caught between Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) and catcher Freddy Fermin (34) as he tried to score on a fielders choice hit into by Grant McCray during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin and starting pitcher Brady Singer (51) meet on the mound during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer (51) walks to the dugout after coming out of the game during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

A fan cheers during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals players watch from the dugout during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Giants won 9-0. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tristan Beck throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Giants won 9-0. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

San Francisco Giants' Tyler Fitzgerald (49), Donovan Walton (18) and Grant McCray celebrate after their baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Giants won 9-0. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

San Francisco Giants' Heliot Ramos (17), Grant McCray, center, and Jerar Encarnacion, right, celebrate after their baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Giants won 9-0. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tristan Beck, left, and catcher Curt Casali celebrate after their baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Giants won 9-0. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians clinched their second AL Central championship in three years Saturday, securing another impressive accomplishment for rookie manager Stephen Vogt.

Cleveland wrapped up the title when the second-place Kansas City Royals lost 9-0 to San Francisco. José Ramírez and the Guardians had already secured a postseason berth, locking up at least an American League wild card Thursday with a 3-2 win over Minnesota at home.

It’s the fifth division crown for the franchise since 2016. Cleveland is going back to the playoffs for the first time since losing a 2022 AL Division Series to the New York Yankees in five games.

Cleveland entered Saturday needing a win at St. Louis or a Kansas City defeat to wrap up the AL Central race. Even before the Guardians got deep into their night game against the Cardinals, the Royals lost at home in a late-afternoon start.

Kansas City came from 10 games back on June 25 to tie the Guardians atop the division with a 6-1 victory in Cleveland on Aug. 27. But the Guardians rallied for a 7-5 win the following day to avert a four-game sweep.

That started a seven-game skid for the Royals, and the Guardians pulled away in September.

It is Cleveland’s 12th division crown, all coming in the AL Central since 1995.

Cleveland is in a nip-and-tuck race with the AL East-leading Yankees for the top seed in the American League playoffs. But the Guardians are close to nailing down at least the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.

Cleveland went 76-86 last year in Terry Francona’s final season as manager. Vogt, a former All-Star catcher, was hired in November despite having no managerial experience.

Sure looks like a smart call at the moment.

Vogt is the fifth Cleveland manager to win at least 90 games in his first full season in charge, joining Francona in 2013, Charlie Manuel in 2000, Al Lopez in 1951 and Tris Speaker in 1920.

Under the 39-year-old Vogt, Cleveland got off to a surprising start. It had a nine-game lead in the AL Central and a 51-26 record after it beat Baltimore 10-8 on June 25.

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Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Erik Sabrowski, right, and catcher Bo Naylor celebrate a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Cleveland Guardians' Andres Gimenez singles during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)