Royals Drub Indians 7-1; Ventura Cruises

Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals gave their fans a nice holiday treat Friday night by administering a thorough 7-1 thrashing to a division rival, the Cleveland Indians, on Independence Day. Barbecue, beverages, fireworks, and a Royals victory: now that’s the proper way to honor our nation’s birthday.

Yordano Ventura started for the Royals and did yeoman’s work, taking a shutout into the ninth inning, while his teammates pummelled Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin for ten hits (four for extra bases) and five runs in 5 & 2/3rds.

Christian Colon started at second base for KC — his first big league start — in place of Omar Infante, whose recent back problems flared up again. Colon had a memorable night, with two doubles, a triple, and his first big league RBI.

Lorenzo Cain drove in two runs on a single and double, and Mike Moustakas also had a multi-hit game, including a three run bomb in the sixth that sent Tomlin to the showers.

Ventura’s final line was six hits, two walks, one run, and 4 K’s in 8 and 1/3rd innings. A fine performance.

When this team plays the way they did tonight, it’s easy to get excited about the possibilities. At the season’s half way point, the Royals have shown enough talent to engender hopes for pennant race fever. 2014 really could be the year the Royals break the long drought.