New York: New York’s Brett Gardner, Brian McCann and Chase Headley homered during an eight-run first inning that set up the Yankees’ 14-1 romp over Kansas City on Monday.

The one-sided victory moved the Yankees back within half a game of the American League East division lead, while the Royals’ lead in the Central was trimmed to two games.

In the key National League encounters, there were wins for the three divisional leaders — the East’s Washington edged the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis beat Arizona in extra innings to extend their Central lead to 4-1/2 games, and the West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers came from behind to defeat Atlanta.

New York’s Stephen Drew added a three-run homer at the start of the second innings, meaning Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie had given up 11 runs before the team made an out in the second.

The Yankees, coming off a sweep by Texas, snapped a six-game losing skid. They won for just the second time in 12 games, beating the team that began the day with the best record in the majors.

Washington’s Wilson Ramos hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning and the Nationals hung to edge the Cubs 2-1.

Washington pitcher Tanner Roark (1-2) — making his first start of the season in place of the injured Doug Fister — allowed one run in five innings.

The Nationals have won eight of their past nine.

St. Louis’ Jhonny Peralta hit a game-ending homer in the 10th inning, lifting the Cardinals to a 3-2 victory against Arizona.

Peralta’s leadoff drive over left field on a 1-2 pitch from J.C. Ramirez (1-1) was his fourth career game-winning homer. The Cardinals improved played five extra-inning games at home this month, winning four of them.

The Diamondbacks stranded five runners on base over the last two innings.

Los Angeles’ Andre Ethier, Alex Guerrero and Jimmy Rollins each homered in the eighth inning, rallying the Dodgers past Atlanta 6-3.

Ethier got things started, homering to snap a 2-2. Earlier, in the first inning, he drew a bases-loaded walk for the team’s first run.

Pinch-hitter Guerrero sent a 3-1 pitch into the left-field pavilion, scoring A.J. Ellis, who walked, to make it 5-2. With two outs, Rollins homered for a 6-2 lead.

The Dodgers lead the majors in homers this season, with 60 in 44 games.