Lane Thomas and Josh Naylor’s goals supported Gavin Williams’ strong start in the Guardians’ 4-2 win over the Royals

Thomas hit his first home run in a Cleveland uniform, a two-run hit off Michael Wacha in the fifth inning that erased the Royals’ lead and put the Guardians ahead 2-1. Josh Naylor added a two-run hit of his own in the sixth inning after José Ramírez came on with an infield single.

After posting a batting average of just .143 in 27 games in August, Thomas has struck out five in two games in September. Manager Stephen Vogt said Thomas has been swinging the bat well in the last few games and looks like he’s regaining his timing against fastballs.

“He’s getting more aggressive, which is great, and he’s more aggressive on good throws,” Vogt said. “It was nice to see that one ball get carried out of the yard. Big momentum for us and obviously a nice pressure release for him.”

Thomas said he just wanted to contribute to Cleveland’s success.

“It was nice to score a few runs, give Gavin (Williams) a little help and get him the win,” Thomas said.

Cleveland’s bullpen got the ball to Emmanuel Clase in the ninth inning after Williams pitched seven strong innings for his third win. Clase made his 41st save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. He has converted his last 28 consecutive save opportunities.

Cleveland has won four of its last five games and is 4 1/2 games ahead of the Royals in the AL Central standings. Second-place Minnesota is 3 1/2 games behind the Guardians after a 5-4 win at Tampa Bay.

Cleveland’s magic number to win the division is 22 with 24 games to go. The magic number to secure a playoff spot is 16 with Boston.

Naylor entered the game with nine hits in his last 17 at-bats over a four-game span, including three doubles and six RBIs. He hit a 1-0 fastball from Royals left-hander Kris Bubic into the right-center seats for his 29th home run, giving the first baseman 100 RBIs for the first time in his career.

Thomas, who struggled at bat for most of August after being signed by Washington on July 30, entered the game with a .364 batting average over his last nine games. He brought Wacha in with Jhonkensy Noel aboard for his ninth home run in the fifth inning with a 1-0 cutter over the middle of the batting crease. Thomas added a double in the ninth inning for his first multi-hit game since August 7.

Williams allowed a run in the second inning when Yuli Gurriel walked with two outs and got into scoring position on a wild pitch. Maikel Garcia’s double to the left field corner brought home Gurriel, who was one of KC’s waiver pickups after top RBI player Vinnie Pasquantino suffered a broken thumb over the weekend in Houston.

But Williams got going again after Garcia’s double and retired the next 16 batters he faced. He needed just eight pitches to get through the third inning as Kansas City’s top hitters were no match for his fastball, which averaged 96.8 mph on the day. Williams managed seven strikeouts and one walk to finish seven innings, a season-high.

Vogt said it appeared Williams was struggling through the first few innings and wasn’t coming down the mound effectively. After speaking with pitching coach Carl Willis, Williams seemed to make the adjustment.

“Carl talked to him after the second inning and he stepped up again,” Vogt said. “What a performance. That was much needed for him and for us. He just adjusted and came down the mound in a good direction.”

Williams said he has had a tendency to throw across his body lately, but he was able to turn things around on Monday.

“I just got off track,” Williams said. “I just talked to Bo (Naylor) and came up with a better plan because I saw how (the Royals’ hitters) took the different pitches. They know what I’m capable of. They really only attack the first pitch. So it’s about keeping them off balance.”

Cade Smith took over in the eighth inning and allowed a leadoff double to Gurriel, who left the game with a hamstring injury after limping to the sack. But Guardians rookie right fielder Jhonkensy Noel caught a sinking line drive from Garcia with a diving dive that appeared to be going for extra bases in the gap. Kyle Isbel eventually brought in pinch runner Freddy Fermin with a sacrifice fly to center, but Noel’s catch helped stymie a Royals comeback.

“When the ball comes down, it’s a totally different inning, a totally different game,” Vogt said. “Great catch by Jhonkensy.”

Noel said the wind carried the fly balls back up the field and that gave him the confidence to retrieve them. Speaking through Guardians interpreter Agustin Rivero, he said he was happy to be playing midfield in September on a team that is challenging for the championship.

“It doesn’t matter what position I’m in as long as I can help and help the team win,” Noel said. “I’ve worked hard to get this position, but what’s most important is that I can help the team win.”

Cleveland has improved to 28-33 overall since June 26 after starting the season 51-26. Since the All-Star break, the club is 21-22. The Guards are now 8-8 in the second half on the road after going 28-26 on the road before the All-Star break.