KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two Kansas City Royals were big winners Tuesday night as first baseman Eric Hosmer and left fielder Alex Gordon won American League Rawlings Gold Glove Awards.

For Gordon, this was his fifth Gold Glove and his first victory since 2014. Hosmer, a soon-to-be free agent, has won the award four times.

Gordon tied for 11th among American League outfielders with eight assists this season, his highest total since also collecting eight in 2014, the last time he was awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove.

Since moving to the outfield in 2010, Gordon’s 82 assists are tied for most in Major League Baseball with Gerardo Parra. In 2017, Gordon also ranked third among AL left fielders with a .993 fielding percentage, committing just two errors in 269 chances, while among AL outfielders he tied for eighth in games played (147), ranked ninth in innings (1248.2) and was 10th in putouts (276). Gordon’s five Rawlings Gold Glove Awards are second-most among active Major League outfielders, trailing only Ichiro Suzuki’s 10.

Hosmer played in all 162 games for the first time in his career, seeing action at first base in 157 of them, which led the American League. He was also tops among AL first basemen in innings (1338.0) and total chances (1314), while finishing second in putouts (1314) and fourth in fielding percentage (.997).

As a team, Kansas City has now won 14 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards since 2011, the most in the Majors in that span. The Royals are the only American League club to have at least one winner in each of the past seven seasons.

Center fielder Lorenzo Cain, another soon-to-be free agent, and catcher Salvador Perez were also nominated for the award but didn’t win. Perez’s loss to Angels’ catcher Martin Maldonado was somewhat of an upset, as he was going for his fifth-straight award. Perez would have joined second baseman Frank White as the only player in franchise history to win the award five straight times.

The awards were decided by votes from managers and coaches in both the American and National League. In addition, a sabermetric formula offered by the Society for American Baseball Research represents 25 percent of the voting.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY — The Royals on Tuesday promoted from within to fill their coaching vacancies, moving Minor League hitting coordinator Terry Bradshaw to hitting coach and assistant to the general manager Cal Eldred to pitching coach.

Also, Double-A Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson will take over as bullpen coach, and Pedro Grifol will continue to serve as catching coach while also stepping in as the newly created quality control coach, which will serve as a liaison between the front office and the coaching staff.

At the end of the season, Kansas City parted ways with pitching coach Dave Eiland and bench coach Don Wakamatsu. The Royals also moved hitting coach Dale Sveum to bench coach.

As expected, Mitch Maier will take over first-base coaching duties, replacing Rusty Kuntz, who will serve as a senior advisor to the general manager now. Mike Jirschele remains the third-base coach.

Manager Ned Yost will be back in 2018 in the final year of his contract.

Bradshaw, 48, who has been in the Royals’ system since 2000, spent the past five seasons (’13-17) as the Royals’ Minor League hitting coordinator.

“He’s very well respected inside and out of our organization,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said by phone. “I know other teams wanted to hire him over the past few years, but he remained loyal to the Royals. He’s very deserving.”

Eldred, 49, spent the previous two seasons (2016-17) in the Royals’ organization as an assistant to the general manager — player development. He served a similar role with the Cardinals from ’13-15. A 14-year Major League veteran, Eldred had a career 86-74 record in 341 games (192 starts) while pitching for the Brewers (1991-99), White Sox (2000-01) and Cardinals (2003-05). He was Milwaukee’s first-round pick (17th overall) in 1989 and twice led the American League in starts (1993-94) and once in innings pitched (1993).

“He’s worked for and with Dave Duncan for many years and will really bring a fresh perspective for us,” Moore said of Eldred.

Wilson, 44, served as the manager for Northwest Arkansas for the previous four seasons (2014-17), and he led the Naturals to back-to-back Texas League Championship Series appearances in ’15-16.

— MLB.com —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar tipped their caps and likely said goodbye to Kansas City’s fans.

Then the playoff-bound Arizona Diamondbacks ended the regular season with a 14-2 win over the Royals on Sunday.

It didn’t stop the quartet — all pending free agents who have been with Kansas City since 2011 — from going out in memorable fashion.

Manager Ned Yost pulled the group together with one out in the fifth inning. The players hugged behind the pitchers’ mound, then waved their caps to the cheering crowd as they walked off the field. Salvador Perez, who also debuted with Kansas City in 2011, embraced the group on the top step of the dugout.

The foursome keyed the team’s run into consecutive World Series, including a championship in 2015, but now they’re all eligible for free agency.

“The bond we all have, they can never take away from us,” Hosmer said. “I’ve really enjoyed playing with these guys the last 10 years of my life, not only that, but growing up with these guys as well.”

The Royals played a video honoring the players after the game, and fans stayed and applauded.

The players also got standing ovations for each of their at-bats. Hosmer homered in the first inning and hugged Moustakas as he crossed the plate.

“I was a wreck all day,” Moustakas said. “After he hit his home run, I had tears in my eyes, and I’m trying to hit. I had no idea what was going on. It was unbelievable. That was one of the coolest moments that I’ve been a part of, watching the fans of Kansas City give an ovation and then going out there and hitting a home run. I couldn’t believe that happened.

“Going into this offseason, we don’t know what’s ahead of us. It’s our first time doing this, so no telling what can happen.”

Before those four players arrived, Kansas City hadn’t been to the postseason since winning the 1985 World Series. The Royals had the worst record in the majors from 2000-09, losing 100 or more games four times.

“They’ve created a legacy for this organization and a standard to try to move forward and uphold,” Yost said before the game. “They’ve turned this organization into a model of consistency. It’s been a great run. It’s all attributed to them.

“But not only did the fortunes of the Kansas City Royals turn around, but the fan base has been wrapped up in this team for years and years with these kids. It’s really kind of transformed the city a little bit too and energized the city in a small part. Their presence here has effected this city in a pretty big way.”

Gregor Blanco had three hits, two walks and three stolen bases for Arizona. Jeremy Hazelbaker hit a three-run homer in the fifth off starter Jason Vargas (18-11), who finished tied for the major league lead in victories.

“I’m very proud of the things we did in the course of the year,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We checked a lot of boxes. We did some things that I asked these guys to do from the first game of the season on. I’m proud of these guys for that, and I’m proud to be their manager. But we still have a few more boxes to check.”

Anthony Banda (2-3) picked up the win in relief. Silvino Brancho struck out five in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

FRESHEN UP

Arizona starter Robbie Ray left after 23 pitches and 1 2/3 innings. Lovullo said he wanted Ray sharp but fresh in case he is needed for the NL wild-card game against Colorado on Wednesday.

“I have no reservations at all,” Ray said of being utilized out of the bullpen in the wild-card game. “I think everybody’s kind of champing at the bit. We’re doing everything we can to prepare for that one game.”

FINAL STANDINGS

The Diamondbacks finished the season 93-69 after going 69-93 in 2016. The Royals dropped to 80-82, one game worse than in 2016.

GOLDSCHMIDT SLUMPING

Arizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt went 0 for 2 and ended his season with a .297 batting average, hitless in his final 17 at-bats. He finished August with a .319 batting average, but hit just .171 the rest of the season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: SS Ketel Marte departed in the fifth inning with left hamstring tightness after legging out an infield single. He is considered day-to-day. “There’s nothing to be totally alarmed about, but we’ll re-evaluate him tomorrow,” Lovullo said. … RHP Jimmie Sherfy, who has not pitched since Sept. 24 because of triceps tightness, will throw a bullpen Monday. Arizona has not yet decided whether he is healthy enough to be on the wild-card roster. … OF Ray Fuentes had upper-back tightness and was held out. … OF David Peralta had a stiff back and did not play. … SS Chris Owings (fractured right middle finger) is scheduled to play in an instructional league game Monday. He could be used as a pinch runner in the postseason.

Royals: RHP Nathan Karns (thoracic outlet syndrome surgery) said he anticipates he will start playing catch in early November after having not picked up a ball since July. He went on the disabled list in late May with a right extensor strain and nerve irritation. “It won’t be an issue in spring training,” he said. “I’m not worried about it.” … Perez (left groin strain) missed the last three games.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Greinke will start the wild-card game. He is 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five starts against Colorado this season. RHP Jon Gray will be the Rockies starter.

Royals: They open the 2018 season at home against the White Sox.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jorge Bonifacio and Jake Junis are auditioning for 2018 jobs.

Bonifacio hit a three-run homer with two outs in the sixth inning to help the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.

Bonifacio’s homer, his 17th, came off Archie Bradley (3-3) with Paulo Orlando and Ramon Torres aboard.

“I was looking for a fastball,” Bonifacio said. “He throws 97. I was just trying to put the ball in play.”

He said he is unsure if he has established himself to be a starting outfielder for next year.

“I don’t know,” Bonifacio said. “I’ll just come ready for spring training and try to make the team.”

Bradley lost for the first time since July 14, allowing a season-high three runs.

“The greatest part about this is, this isn’t the end of the season for us,” Bradley said. “As much as we want to win and finish strong and finish the season on a high note, this is baseball. You’re going to make bad pitches and guys are going to hit them. For me, it’s just a reminder that I’m not invincible. Guys can hit pitches. Guys are going to hit pitches out of the park.”

Junis (9-3) allowed two runs on five hits, including A.J. Pollock’s home run in the sixth, to pick up the win. The right-hander’s nine victories are tied for the American League lead for rookies.

“I didn’t know that,” Junis said. “That’s pretty special. That’s more than I could ever ask for in my rookie season.”

David Peralta’s fifth-inning double scored Rey Fuentes, who walked and stole second, with the first Diamondbacks’ run.

Arizona right-hander Taijuan Walker was pulled after five innings in his final start before the postseason. He allowed three hits and one run, while striking out six and walking one.

“Felt good, felt strong,” Walker said. “I felt all my pitches were pretty solid today and it’s a good sign moving into the playoffs.”

Mike Moustakas grounded into a double play in the fourth, scoring Lorenzo Cain, for the only run Walker would allow.

Daniel Descalso’s run-producing triple in the eighth off Joakim Soria cut the Royals’ advantage to one run.

Mike Minor worked around a leadoff double in the ninth to collect his sixth save in eight chances. Minor has saves in his past six appearances.

“Mike’s filled that role really nice, really adjusted to it,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He’s got great stuff. We know that, but you can have great stuff and not be a successful closer. You’ve got to have that special composure and competitiveness that he has.”

Zack Godley, who had a 3.40 ERA in 25 starts, made his first relief appearance of the year, pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 0 for 3 and finished September with a .175 batting average (14 for 80) to drop his average to .299.

ZACK ON WEDNESDAY

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo made it official, announcing RHP Zack Greinke would start the Wednesday wild-card game against the Rockies. He said Greinke “felt great” after throwing 75 pitches in four-plus innings Friday. “There’s no mystery to it,” Lovullo said. “He’s been our horse all year long. I know he surpassed 200 innings. He’s won 17 games. He’s paced us on days where we needed somebody to pitch a big game. He’s been everything that we’ve needed all year long.”

GREINKE LACKED ROYALS’ VISION

Greinke told the Royals he wanted to be traded after the 2010 season and the club accommodated him by sending him to Milwaukee. Among the players the Royals received in return were SS Alcides Escobar and CF Lorenzo Cain, two integral parts of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship club. “Zack was a phenomenal player, but Zack didn’t believe we were going to win,” Royals manager Ned Yost said Saturday. “Zack wanted to go somewhere he could win. I kept trying to tell him, `Zack, we’re going to win here. These kids are going to be good.’ But (he said), `I don’t believe it.’ After we won the World Series, I saw him at the Gold Glove banquet and made him tell me he was wrong. He just smiled said, `I was wrong.’ I had a good relationship with Zack. He really wanted to win. He just didn’t have the vision I had.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: C Jeff Mathis (fractured right hand) was activated and started, singling in his first at-bat. He was removed after five innings. . RHP Jimmie Sherfy has not pitched since Sept. 24 because of triceps tightness.

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy will have minor surgery Tuesday to remove “loose bodies” in the back of his elbow that caused inflammation and landed him on the disabled list in late August.

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: LHP Robbie Ray, who is tied for first in the NL with a 1.79 road ERA, will start the finale.

Royals: LHP Jason Vargas will be going for his 19th win, which would lead the AL.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Daniel Norris threw five scoreless innings to pick up his first victory in more than three months as the Detroit Tigers snapped a season-high nine-game losing streak by beating the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Thursday night.

Norris (5-8) gave up two hits in five innings. He was 0-4 in four starts and four relief appearances since a June 16 triumph over Tampa Bay.

The Tigers had been outscored 68-39 in their losing streak, which was their longest since dropping nine straight Sept. 1-9, 2005.

Nicholas Castellanos’ fifth-inning double with the bases loaded scored Alex Presley, JaCoby Jones and Dixon Machado. Jones singled home Andrew Romine with the first run of the inning.

Royals left-hander Danny Duffy (9-10) did not make it through the inning. Duffy was charged with four runs, six hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. Duffy, who was the Royals’ opening day starter, finishes the season with a 3.81 ERA in 24 starts.

Paulo Orlando led off the Kansas City sixth with a home run off Warwick Saupold. Orlando has homered in back-to-back games after going 117 at-bats without going deep.

Orlando also doubled in the third and had two of the five Kansas City hits.

Relievers Daniel Stump, Drew VerHagen and Shane Greene held the Royals scoreless over the final three innings. Greene picked up his eighth save in 12 opportunities, but not before giving up a single and a walk.

IT’S A GO FOR ROMINE

With the Twins clinching a playoff berth, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said, “it’s probably going to happen,” that Romine will play all nine positions in the season finale at Minnesota. “I haven’t drawn out a map, and I probably won’t until Saturday,” Ausmus said. “Catcher and pitcher it’ll probably just be one hitter.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: 3B Jeimer Candelario was held out of the lineup with a sore left wrist. The switch-hitting Candelario said it bothers him when he swings right-handed, but not left-handed. . RHP Jeff Ferrell still has not cleared the concussion protocol procedure. He has not pitched since Sept. 18.

Royals: C Salvador Perez left after three innings with left groin tightness. Drew Butera replaced him.

UP NEXT

Tigers: LHP Matthew Boyd will start the series opener at Minnesota. He is 5-1 with a 3.55 ERA in 10 career starts against the Twins. RHP Kyle Gibson will be the Twins starter.

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy, who is winless in a club-record 18 consecutive home starts, will start Friday against the Diamondbacks. RHP Zack Greinke, who began his career with Kansas City, will start for Arizona.

— Associated Press —