KC Royals bounce back, take game one from Cleveland

Despite a game time temperature of 44 degrees, Mike Moustakas and the KC Royals had little trouble heating up against the Cleveland Indians and their ace Corey Kluber. Coming off a game where the 2014 Cy Young winner gave up a career high 13 hits, Kluber fared little better against the aggressive and free-swinging Royals.

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Still smarting from being swept in their quasi-doubleheader against Chicago on Sunday, the Royals came to Cleveland seemingly eager to put only their second series loss of the season behind them early.  Aided by the first of three Cleveland errors, second baseman Omar Infante got the scoring started in the second inning by driving in Salvador Perez.  The Royals tacked on another run in the third inning as Mike Moustakas doubled and was driven home by Eric Hosmer.  After three innings, the Royals offense was cruising along free and easy.

While the Kansas City offense was clicking on all cylinders, the same could not be said for Royals starting pitcher Jason Vargas who battled the elements and his own control all evening.  Through the first four innings, Vargas only surrendered one hit but he issued five walks to Indians batters.  Though he allowed baserunners in every inning, he was able to work his way out of trouble through the first four innings. His fortune would change, though, in inning number 5 as once again, the third trip through the batting order proved to be Vargas’ undoing. In the fifth inning, Jason Kipnis singled and former Royal Mike Avilies hit a laser over the fence to tie the game at two.  Just when it seemed like tonight might be a repeat of the collapse the Royals experienced yesterday in Chicago, Vargas was able to right the ship and escape the inning with no further damage.

Flashing the same resilience they have shown all season, the KC Royals immediately regained the lead in their half of the 6th as Alex Gordon doubled home Eric Hosmer. Once they regained their advantage, the outcome appeared to be inevitable as Kansas City was able to turn up the pressure as Ryan Madson entered in relief of Vargas and promptly shut down the Tribe in the home half of the 6th.

The Royals added three more runs in the 7th thanks to RBI’s by Moustakas, Kendrys Morales, and Alex Gordon (again) to bust the game open.  From there on the Royals were content to rely on the great strength of their bullpen and allow a combination of Franklin Morales, Kelvin Herrera, and Wade Davis to slam the door on their hosts and send the few brave fans who made it to the bitter end home disappointed.

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