Errors, Bullpen Doom Royals in 5-3 Loss to Indians
By David Hill
Sometimes, there are games like tonight’s. Games where, every time a team takes the lead, the opponent answers back immediately, seizing the momentum once again, then winning the game late. That exact scenario happened tonight, as the Cleveland Indians rallied to defeat the Kansas City Royals 5-3.
Apr 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) reaches for the ball as Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) steals second base in the sixth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Royals got the scoring started in an unconventional way, at least for them – by hitting home runs. With one out in the second, Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas hit consecutive solo home runs, giving the Royals a quick 2-0 lead. Cleveland struck right back in the bottom of the inning, as Michael Bourn hit a two out, two run triple into the gap in right center, tying the game.
From that point, both Cleveland starter Justin Masterson and Jason Vargas settled in. Neither team threatened until the top of the sixth inning. There, the Royals took advantage of an error, as Jason Kipnis was unable to get the force out on Billy Butler‘s groundball to short. With two outs, Moustakas struck again, delivering an RBI single to give the Royals the lead once again.
Like last time, that lead proved to be short lived. Michael Brantley singled with one out. After a fly ball for the second out, Brantley took off to steal second. Perez threw the ball away, and the throw skipped past Jarrod Dyson, allowing Brantley to circle the bases and tie the game. Vargas got the final out on a grounder to second, but the damage had already been done.
Overall, Jason Vargas had a solid night, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits and two walks, striking out two batters in his six innings of work. After 100 pitches, the game was handed over to the bullpen, which proved to ignite the Indians offense.
Kelvin Herrera came in for the seventh, and just was not on his game. After a groundout and a caught stealing gave the Royals two outs, Nick Swisher singled to right, then came around to score on a double to deep right center off the bat of Jason Kipnis. Cleveland added another run in the eighth after Wade Davis loaded the bases with no outs, and gave up a bloop single to push another run across the plate to give the Indians the 5-3 victory.
Herrera took the loss, giving up a run on three hits in his inning of work. Hosmer and Moustakas continued to swing the lumber well, as they both recorded two hits in the loss.