Kansas City Royals crushed 5-8 by Cleveland Indians – MLB Update
Kansas City Royals were beaten by American League Central Division Leaders Cleveland Indians 5-8 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio in the opening game of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Cleveland made the most on hand opportunities in a match that was played on a very fighting note. Royals’ Eric Hosmer hit a towering home run in the second to put his team 2-0 ahead but the Royals were unable to keep up with the pace of the game.
For the Indians, Lonnie Chisenhall had an excellent time on the plate as he homered to right in the third to bring his side right back into the contest. Jason Kipnis displayed some high quality some high quality hitting skills as he combined with Jose Lopez to earn 3 RBI’s against Kansas City.
With bases loaded, Kipnis singled to centre in the third to give the Indians a crucial 3-2 lead. Lopez also joined the party by reaching on infield single to third and Casey Kotchman’s RBI single to left extended Cleveland’s lead to 5-2.
Brayan Pena homered to centre in the fifth as the Royals fought back to reduce the deficit to 4-5 but Lopez ensured a stunning win for the Indians as he drove in two crucial RBI’s to dent Kansas City’s confidence levels.
"You've got to give it to these guys," manager Manny Acta said. "They find a way. I was glad we cut off that streak. Guys like Kipnis do a pretty good job of putting things behind them. They just say, 'Let's go get 'em.'"
"I feel great, confident," Cleveland’s reliever Chris Perez said. "I felt that way in spring training, too. That's why Opening Day was a head-scratcher."
With their win against the Royals on Monday evening, the Indians improved their record to 27-21 and they will be hoping to continue their superb form to maintain their six game lead against their arch rivals; Detroit Tigers.
Ned Yost and company, on the other hand, will have to start from the scratch once again and it will be interesting to see if they can make themselves proud be winning the next two games.
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