KANSAS CITY -- Considering that the Yankees entered this year with championship aspirations, they looked at a winning record as a given. Yet in recent weeks, as their postseason hopes dwindled, there was a measure of motivation in not going down as the roster to snap a three-decade streak of above-.500 seasons.

Despite falling far short of their ultimate goal, at least these Yankees can say they finished in the black. Estevan Florial lined a go-ahead single, and Gleyber Torres drove in a pair of runs as the Yanks (82-79) secured a winning record for the 31st consecutive year, posting a 5-2 victory over the Royals on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

“We fell short of what we set out to do, and none of us are happy about what happened this year,” said Clarke Schmidt, who started for New York and worked four innings. “The least we can do is continue to compete toward the end; we’re not going to mail it in at all. To continue to show fight and grit, there’s something to be said about that.”

Oswaldo Cabrera and Everson Pereira also drove in runs for the Yankees, who have finished above the break-even mark every season since 1993 -- the second-longest streak in AL/NL history. Only the 1926-64 Yankees enjoyed more sustained success, spanning 39 seasons.

“We’re going home tomorrow, so that’s inevitably the takeaway from our season,” manager Aaron Boone said. “We expect to be playing in October, and the fact that we’re not going to be doing that is tough.

“I am proud of the group, and I do think there are tremendous opportunities for growth through adversity and what’s been a tough season. We’ve been through a lot this year, and I’m super pleased with how these guys have shown up and continue to get after it, day in and day out, in a season that hasn’t been what we expected.”

Frankie Montas picked up the victory in relief, tossing 1 1/3 innings in his season debut after missing most of the year following right shoulder surgery.

“I had a lot of nerves; it felt like my first time pitching in the big leagues,” Montas said. “I felt pretty good. The pitch shapes were good; my shoulder feels really, really good. I’m just trying to enjoy this moment as much as I can.”

The Yankees haven’t squeezed much out of Montas since acquiring him ahead of the Trade Deadline in 2022. But in a month that the Yankees have largely used to scout youngsters, seeing Montas back on a mound could plant a seed for the club as the right-hander heads toward free agency.

“He left a good impression with all the people down in Tampa who helped get him rehabbed and set an example for the younger players down there,” Boone said. “He pushed to get this opportunity. I’m glad he was able to do it.”   

Schmidt, who allowed two runs on eight hits, was among the few Yankees who exceeded expectations this season. He came into camp as a long-shot contender for a back-end rotation spot, then took advantage of opportunities to prove himself as a reliable big league starter.

“It was a big test to come in here, my first full year starting,” said Schmidt, who concluded his season with a 9-9 record and a 4.64 ERA in 33 games (32 starts). “To make adjustments and put together a productive season was big for my confidence.”

“The biggest thing I told him at the end of the night was that I’m just proud of him,” Boone said. “I’m proud of the growth, proud of all he’s learned and developed this year. He’s super competitive and tough; never shies away from anything. He just continued to get better and better.”

Saturday’s contest could have been the last in a Yankees uniform for Kyle Higashioka, the organization’s longest-tenured player.

The Yankees drafted the 33-year-old Higashioka in the seventh round of the 2008 MLB Draft. With catchers Jose Trevino, Austin Wells and Ben Rortvedt all expected to be in next year’s mix, Higashioka appears to be a non-tender candidate.

“I’ve been with this organization for half my life; eventually, you retire or get traded,” Higashioka said. “It’s not going to last forever. All the relationships I’ve made here are incredible, especially with my teammates, coaches, even some of the front-office staff. I’ve known them forever. The offseason, that’s out of my control.”