Kansas City scored twice in the second with the help of a well timed hit-and-run. Alex Gordon — Chamberlain’s college teammate — doubled leading off and scored on Jason Smith’s single.

John Buck then grounded a single into right field which would have been a perfectly placed double-play ball if Smith hadn’t broken for second on the pitch. As Smith ran, Robinson Cano lunged to his right toward the bag, and the ball scooted right past where the second baseman had been standing.

That brought home Gordon with the first run and put Smith on third. Then with one out, Mark Grudzielanek hit an RBI single.

Meche, who entered with the lowest run support of any qualifying AL pitcher, allowed two runs and five hits in six innings. He failed to get a win for the ninth straight start.

“I can’t explain the fact that we just don’t score for Gil,” Royals manager Buddy Bell said. “We had their guy on the ropes a couple of times and we just weren’t able to do much.”

As they walked out of the visitors clubhouse, Posada and Jeter went over to shake Harlan Chamberlain’s hand.

“It was a pleasure to watch you guys play,” Chamberlain said.

“We’re trying to keep your son in line,” said a grinning Jeter. “He listened to us for the first two weeks, but now he does what he wants.”

Said the proud father: “Well, he still has to listen to me. You can remind him of that.”

Notes: RHP Roger Clemens could return to the mound in the Yankees series finale at Boston on Sept. 16. Clemens left Monday’s start against Seattle after four innings and had a cortisone shot in his right elbow. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner is 6-6 with a 4.45 ERA this season. ... The Yankees, who left the bases loaded in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings and stranded nine runners in scoring position.

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