KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ David Bote provided an early spark with a two-run triple with two outs in the first inning Tuesday night, and he added an RBI single in the fifth as the Cubs coasted to a 5-0 victory over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Bote, starting at third base while Kris Bryant recovers from left shoulder inflammation, hit his triple over the head of Whit Merrifield in right field.
In the fifth, Bote poked a single to right with two out in the fifth to score Javier Baez and cap a two-run fifth.
The Cubs added an insurance run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Ian Happ.
Bote's three RBIs provided ample run support for left-hander Mike Montgomery, who pitched six shutout innings before he was pulled following a single to Adalberto Mondesi to start the seventh.
Montgomery and three relievers combined for the Cubs' 12th shutout of the season.
Left fielder Ben Zobrist left in the middle of the fifth due to left hip tightness.
The Cubs will try to complete a three-game series sweep Wednesday night when left-hander Jose Quintana opposes Heath Fillmyer.
