Indians Beat Royals 7-3

The Cleveland Indians pummeled Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie for eleven hits and six runs in four innings, and held on for a 7-3 victory to even the three-game series between division rivals at one each.

Lorenzo Cain got things started in the right direction with a lead-off double to begin the game. He then stole third, and scored on a ground-out by Eric Hosmer.  But the joy of an early Royals lead would be short-lived.

Guthrie stranded three Indians base runners in the first two innings, but couldn’t wiggle out of trouble in the third. Michael Bourn led off the inning with a solo shot, then two singles sandwiched around a Jason Kipnis double plated two more runs for a 3-1 lead. Guthrie then failed to retire any of the four batters he faced in the fifth inning, and was relieved by Francisly Bueno with the score at 6-1.

The Royals pounded out twelve hits of their own, including a solo home run by third baseman Danny Valencia, but were a dismal one for eleven with Runners in Scoring Position.

The Royals made a bid for an epic comeback, loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth, but a Cain strikeout and Hosmer double-play grounder ended the threat.

Of note: Danny Valencia went 3 for 4, raising his batting average to .310. Francisely Bueno pitched well (two strikeouts, one hit, and no runs in three innings) and lowered his ERA to 0.71.

The series will be decided in Sunday afternoon’s game. The Royals will send Danny Duffy to the mound, while Cleveland will counter with Corey Kluber. Should be a good one.