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Shields goes after another win at Progressive Field

Apr 22, 2014 - 2:42 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Workhorse right-hander James Shields goes for a second straight win on Tuesday night when his Kansas City Royals visit Progressive Field for game two of a four-game series with the Cleveland Indians.

Shields was winless in his initial three starts of 2014 while the Royals managed just five runs of support, but he broke into the win column on Thursday at Houston with a 5-1 triumph.

He allowed just four hits and the single run in eight innings while striking out 12.

"When you get ahead in the count and make your pitches you're successful," Shields said.

Shields was beaten five times in six decisions in his initial dozen career starts against the Indians, but won two straight against them to close 2013 while toting a 1.93 earned run average in those games.

For Cleveland, righty Danny Salazar aims to avoid losing a third consecutive start.

He's pitched just 8 1/3 innings in his last two outings -- both losses -- while allowing 10 runs, including five runs on six hits in a 7-5 loss at Detroit on Thursday.

Opponents are hitting .345 against him for the season.

In one career meeting with Kansas City, Salazar allowed six hits and four runs in six innings of a 7-2 loss in September 2013.

On Monday, Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis hit two-run homers to help guide the Indians to a 4-3 win.

Zach McAllister (3-0) stayed unbeaten on the season after allowing three runs -- two earned -- on six hits over six-plus innings. Marc Rzepczynski, Cody Allen and John Axford all pitched perfect innings in relief, with Axford recording his seventh save of the season in eight tries.

"I'm just trying to execute pitches," McAllister said. "I'm just trying to get three outs, execute pitches, and let my defense work."

Nick Swisher and Lonnie Chisenhall had two hits apiece for Cleveland.

Omar Infante went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI for Kansas City, which saw starter Jeremy Guthrie (2-1) surrender all four runs on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Cleveland was 10-9 against the Royals last season.