Cleveland Indians defeat Kansas City Royals 9-6 – MLB Update
The Cleveland Indians improved their chances of making it to the postseason with a 9-6 win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, September 4.
Although the Indians are still 6.5 games behind division leaders Detroit, a flurry of wins might substantially improve their chances of reserving a berth in the playoffs. The Wild Card entry is not a possibility in the American League where one of Boston
Red Sox and the New York Yankees is certain to take that route.
The Indians gained early advantage in the game when they accumulated a four-run lead as early as the second inning helped by three-runs in the second inning. Kosuke Fukudome scored the first run on Jason Donald’s RBI in the first inning before Joel Hannahan,
Lou Marson and Jerad Head scored a run each in the second inning to impose pressure on the home side.
Jeanmar Gomez showed glimpses of brilliance from the mound for the Indians as he pitched 5.1 innings to win his second start of the season. He threw a total of 93 pitches in his spell for just one run and six hits to improve his earned-run average to 4.11.
Gomez now has a win-loss record of 2-2 and can prove to be a worth addition to the rotation in the next campaign.
Jeff Francis continued with his dismal run this season as he leaked four runs amid nine hits in five innings for the Royals to lose his 15th game for the year. Francis lacked accuracy and variety in his spell of 96 pitches which saw his ERA surge
to 4.72. The left-handed starting pitcher has won just five games this season and needs a quick revival of form to ensure a permanent place in the rotation.
Tim Collins came to relieve him in the sixth inning but was unglued by the Cleveland batters for two-runs in a spell that lasted for just 20 pitches. Jesse Chavez then assumed the responsibility of taking the Royals through to the end but he was also unimpressive
at the mound, leaking three runs in 3.2 innings to see his ERA go up to 9.64 for the season.
The Indians won the three-game series 2-1.
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