Cleveland's Cliff Lee delivers against Kansas City. Lee improved to 18-2 as the Indians defeated the Royals, 10-3, on Thursday in Cleveland.

Indians 10, Royals 3

Cleveland – An 18-2 record pitching for any team is impressive.

Cliff Lee’s season has been truly remarkable because he has been practically unbeatable for a team that has been less than mediocre.

The Indians’ left-hander recorded his AL-best 18th victory and won his seventh straight decision as Cleveland beat Kansas City.

Lee, the Cy Young award front-runner, allowed three runs – two earned – and six hits in seven innings. He struck out seven and induced four double plays. Lee leads the AL in wins, winning percentage (.900) and earned-run average (2.43) for a team that’s 59-67 and, until recently, was fighting to get out of last place in the Central Division.

“He’s had a great year,” said Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore, who didn’t have a bad day himself with a career-high seven RBIs. “It’s not a surprise anymore when he goes out there and pitches like that.”

“It’s remarkable what he’s done,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

Lee hasn’t been basking in his success.

“I’m focused on my next start,” he said. “It’s against Detroit (next Tuesday). That’s where my focus is.”

While the Indians completed a 7-3 homestand, the Royals have lost five straight, 12 of 14 and head back to Kansas City after a 1-8 road trip.

“It wasn’t a good day or road trip,” manager Trey Hillman said after his team made two errors, leading to four unearned runs. “It’s frustrating, obviously.”

Sizemore, who was 4-for-5, had a three-run triple in the second, a run-scoring single in the sixth and a three-run homer in the eighth.

Shin-Soo Choo hit a two-run homer in the third, and Jhonny Peralta hit a solo home run in the seventh for Cleveland, which swept the three-game series.

Zack Greinke (9-9) allowed five runs in five innings.

Athletics 2, Mariners 0

Seattle – Emil Brown homered, and Greg Smith allowed four hits over six innings for his first win since June. Carlos Gonzalez added an RBI single in the top of the ninth.

Rookie reliever Brad Ziegler got No. 9 hitter Yuniesky Betancourt to chop into a game-ending double play for his fourth save.

Blue Jays 14, Yankees 3

Toronto – Roy Halladay beat the Yankees for the third straight time.

Twins 2, Angels 1 (12)

Anaheim, Calif. – Nick Punto tripled and scored on a single by rookie Denard Span in the 12th inning.