The best team in baseball rolled into town, and the Kansas City Royals rose to the challenge.

Vinny Pasquantino’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning was the difference as KC beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Thursday night.

The third-place Royals are now eight games behind the Guardians in the American League Central Division. The Minnesota Twins are seven games back.

PITCHING PROWESS

Ben Lively delivered another strong performance on the mound for Cleveland, giving up two runs in six innings.

Daniel Scheemann had given Lively a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly that scored Tyler Freeman.

However, the Royals roughed up Lively in the sixth with consecutive triples by Kyle Isbel and Maikel Garcia. Pasquantino then hit the sac fly to score Garcia.

Royals starter Michael Wacha held Cleveland bats in check for 5 1/3 innings. He is one of several big-money investments Kansas City made in the off-season after losing 106 games last season.

Kansas City’s relief pitchers were even more impressive, as they didn’t even give up a hit for the rest of the game.

Jose Ramirez was one bright spot in the Cleveland offense with two of the team’s seven hits. Overall, the Guardians left the bases loaded in the second and sixth innings.

Cleveland will try to bounce back tonight with Triston McKenzie (3-4) taking the mound against Alec Marsh (5-5). First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m.