Melky Cabrera’s walk-off homer leads the Kansas City Royals past Cleveland Indians 3-2 – MLB Update
It was an impressive pitching, outstanding defence and clutch hitting as the Kansas City Royals defeated division rival the Cleveland Indians by 3-2 to tie the four-game series 2-2 at Kauffman Stadium in Missouri on April 21.
The batters seemed helpless against both starters as the Indians’ starter Josh Tomlin and the Royals’ hurler tossed some tremendous pitching. Sean O’Sullivan opened the game, pitched four no-hit innings and made four strike-outs before allowing two runs
to Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo in the fifth inning. It also provided the Indians a 2-0 lead.
It seemed as if the Tomlin had carried the same path paved by Sean as he pitched dazzling seven scoreless-innings. It might have been a scoreless spell if the Royals’ hitter Jeff Francoeur would not have trimmed the lead to 2-1 as he drove in a single on
Tomlin’s second last pitch in the eighth inning. However, it did not create any negative effects on his fourth win with a 2.33 earned run average. It was also evident from the relievers’ strong pitching as Tony Sipp and Vinnie Pestano did not let the Royals
past a short advantage.
The Indians’ closer Chris Perez boosted the hopes of his team by tossing an impressive last inning. However, the crowd went silent when Melky Cabrera hammered a walk-off RBI double to leave the opposition mourning over the defeat. The fourth walk-off win
for the Royals granted them the second spot in the American League Central after the Indians.
Tomlin not only impressed his manager Manny Acta but he also made the Royals’ Manager Ned Yost to say some words of praise.
Yost said, "Tomlin was dynamic. O'Sullivan was very, very good. Tomlin was dynamic with his stuff. Changing speeds, had a great curveball, was painting the corners, kept the ball down. He was as good as you are going to see. I was very impressed with his
outing."
The win got Sean excited as he appreciated the commitment of his batters who did not give up until the end. Sean said the mound was kind of slippery, but after a while it was fine.
The Indians’ manager was happy to see the competitive series. "It was a well played series by both clubs," said Cleveland manager Manny Acta. "You've got to give credit to those guys. They came against our bullpen yesterday and today again. They played very
good defence. It was very wet out there. It never stopped."
The Indians will now travel to Minnesota to take on the Twins for a three game series starting from April 22. The Royals will take on the Texas Rangers for the first of the three-game series.
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