Kansas City’s Omar Infante drove in a career-high seven runs and chased Cleveland starter Corey Kluber early as the Royals defeated the Indians by an 8-4 final on Thursday night.

The loss dropped the Indians to 72-73 on the season, but they did not lose ground against the second American League Wild Card team, the Houston Astros, who were swept in a four-game series by their in-state rival Texas Rangers and have lost eight of their last ten. The Indians remain four games out of the second spot.

Infante started early for the Royals, taking Kluber deep to the Home Run Porch in left with a three-run shot in the second inning, just his second of the season. The Indians responded with a pair in the bottom of the inning, as two would come around on a single by Jason Kipnis.

Against the Tribe bullpen, the Royals would tack on three more in the fifth on a one-out RBI-double from Eric Hosmer and a two-out, two-run double from Infante. Cleveland would again respond, loading the bases and pushing in one on a bases loaded ground out from birthday boy Jose Ramirez, but could not capitalize further.

Infante opened the game up in the seventh with his third hit in as many at bats, singling in two, and would end the night a triple shy of the cycle.

Yordano Ventura lasted five innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Kluber pitched four, allowing three runs (two earned as well) on five hits with five strikeouts.

Cody Anderson (4-3) will get the start on Friday night against Chicago’s Chris Sale (12-9) First pitch is slated for 7:10 PM ET.

W: Y. Ventura (12-8)

L: C. Kluber (8-14)

S: Greg Holland (32)

HR: O. Infante (2, 2nd inning off Kluber, 2 on, 0 out)

Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images