KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Tommy Pham hit his first home run for Kansas City, a tiebreaking, three-run drive in a four-run fourth inning, and the Royals stopped a season-high, seven-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night. Seth Lugo (15-8) allowed one run and five hits in seven innings. He is one win behind Detroits Tarik Skubal and Atlantas Chris Sale, who are tied for the major league lead. Lugo is 11-1 with a 1.40 ERA in 15 starts with four days rest. Hal Mcrae Jersey Kansas City (76-65) closed within one percentage point of Minnesota (75-64) for the second AL wild card spot. The Royals and Twins are both 4 1/2 games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland (80-60). Royals manager Matt Quatraro returned after mi sing two games following the death of his mother. Really happy for those guys, Quatraro said. Nobody wants to lose, and when you string a whole week of games together where you dont win any of them, it wears on you, mentally, physically. It makes it tougher to believe in yourself, so however it had to happen ... its good to get a win. During the seven-game skid, the Royals had scored three runs or fewer in six straight games, the teams longest such streak since Aug. 15-21, 2022. The Royals had scored two runs or fewer in five straight, their longest span since June 7-13, 2018. Pham, claimed off waivers from St. Louis on Saturday, broke a 1-1 tie with his homer off Ben Lively (11-9), who allowed seven hits in four innings. The drive deep into the left-field seats was Phams eighth home run this season and gave Pham his first RBIs with the Royals. It just seems like weve had some chances and we just couldnt come through with the big hit until tonight, Pham said. It felt very good because Ive been having a hard time barreling up balls to the pull side, and today it was something I worked on, and its even better to see it translate into the game. Quatraro said it was a relief to have someone come through. Somebodys got to let the pre sure off, and he did, Quatraro said. It was nice to tie it up ... but youre trying to play for a big inning there. It took till two outs to do it but that was a big, big hit for Tommy." Paul DeJong reached on an infield single, Robbie Gro sman singled for his first Royals hit since he was claimed from Texas on Saturday, and Michael Ma sey hit a tying single. Lugo got help from DeJong when the third baseman made a diving grab on Daniel Schneemans sharp grounder in the hole in the fifth. Lugo also benefited from three double plays, one started by the pitcher It looked he really had a good curveball. He got in on the lefties with the cutter and when they were looking in, he softened it up away, Quatraro said. Pretty good soft contact night, I would say, the double plays, just had it all going. Lugo had a lo s and no-decision since beating the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 19. I thought I threw the ball well, Lugo said. I thought I was using both sides of the plate with my fastball and breaking balls and kept the hitters off balance. I used a pretty good mix out there tonight. Jos Ramrez put Cleveland ahead 1-0 in the third with a two-out bloop single. Kris Bubic struck out the side in the eighth and Lucas Erceg worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his ninth save and sixth with the Royals. TRAINERS ROOM Guardians: 1B Josh Naylor did not play after leaving Tuesdays game with a back spasm. Royals: OF Hunter Renfroe (hamstring) was 0 for 4 with a sacrifice fly as began a rehab a signment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He has been on the 10-day IL since Aug. 25. ROSTER MOVES Royals INF CJ Alexander was claimed off waivers by Oakland. He was designated for a signment on Saturday. UP NEXT Guardians: LHP Matthew Boyd (1-1, 2.38) starts Fridays series opener at the Los Angeles Dodgers. Royals: LHP Cole Ragans (10-9, 3.46) starts Fridays series opener against Minnesota and RHP Zebby Matthews (1-2, 7.41). Nick Lodolo Jersey