Shoppach pulled an 0-1 pitch from Meche over the left-field wall to make it 2-1 in the third. The 28-year-old’s production this season has been a pleasant surprise for the Indians, giving them another option behind the plate and the ability to preserve catcher Victor Martinez by occasionally moving him to first base.

The Indians, now 35-21 since July 10, scored four runs in the fifth to open a 6-1 lead and Cleveland blew it open with three runs in the sixth, more than enough for Lee.

Kansas City tied it 1-1 in the second on Mark Teahen’s run-scoring single and the Royals had a chance to do more damage against Lee, but had two runners thrown out at home.

With one out and runners at first and third, Tony Pena hit a comebacker to Lee, who snagged the hard grounder but dropped the ball as he began to whirl and throw to second for a potential inning-ending double play. Lee recovered and alertly threw home to get a sliding Esteban German.

Rookie Mike Aviles followed with a single to right, but Teahen was thrown out by Franklin Gutierrez. TV replays showed Teahen slid safely around catcher Shoppach’s tag.

After the game, Shoppach was surrounded at his locker when reliever Brendan Donnelly yelled, “What did you do, Shop?” across the room.

“I caught Cliff,” Shoppach said. “He did what he’s done all year.”

Notes: Lee is now one win shy of matching Vean Gregg (1911) for the most wins in a season by a Cleveland left-hander. ... Wedge laughed when he was asked how many fans he expects to see on Saturday night, when the teams will play the second game of a day-night doubleheader and Ohio State’s matchup with No. 1 Southern California will be on TV. “We’ve been there before,” he said. “It’s that time of year.” ... Royals OF Mitch Maier, who had three facial bones broken when he was hit by a pitch on Kansas City’s last visit to Cleveland, was activated from the 15-day disabled list but did not play.

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