Final
Royals top Tribe to take series
Sep 19, 2013 - 5:48 AM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Kansas City didn't let another game get away Wednesday night.The Royals rebounded from a disappointing setback to post a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in the rubber match of a critical three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.
Salvador Perez and Alcides Escobar each had two RBI for the Royals, who squandered a 3-0 lead in Tuesday's costly 5-3 loss.
Cleveland could have grabbed hold of the second AL wild-card spot with a win. Instead, the Indians remained a half-game behind Texas. The Royals are two games back of the Indians.
"Every game is a must win," said Royals starter Bruce Chen.
Kansas City jumped on Cleveland rookie Danny Salazar (1-3) for three first- inning runs. Eric Hosmer kept the frame alive with a two-out single, and Perez followed a Billy Butler walk with a two-run double. Perez advanced to third on the throw home and wound up scoring on a wild pitch.
Chen (8-3) retired the Indians in order in four of the first five innings. The lone exception was the third during which Cleveland trimmed its deficit to 3-2.
Yan Gomes led off with a single and Michael Brantley doubled, with an error by center fielder Jarrod Dyson allowing Gomes to score. After Mike Aviles sacrificed the runner to third, Michael Bourn plated Brantley with a sac fly.
The Royals got a run back in the fifth, as one-out singles by Escobar and Alex Gordon put men on the corners. Gordon then got caught in a rundown while attempting to swipe second. Cleveland first baseman Nick Swisher fired across the diamond as Escobar broke for home. Another rundown materialized, but Escobar dropped to the ground, ducking the tag by the catcher Gomes, scrambled to his feet and scored.
Cleveland had a rally brewing in the sixth, as Chen walked Swisher after Bourn led off the inning with a single. The Kansas City bullpen shut down the threat, with Francisley Bueno and Louis Coleman combining to preserve the Royals' 4-2 lead.
Kansas City put up another three-spot in the eighth. Dyson drew a walk with the bases loaded and Escobar singled home a pair.
"It was a tough game, but that's a good team over there," Swisher said.
Game Notes
The Royals' 42 home wins this season are the most since 2000 ... Salazar tossed six innings ... Kansas City outhit the Indians, 10-5 ... Despite the loss, Cleveland still won the seasons series, 10-9 ... Cleveland's Carlos Santana went 0-for-4 to snap his 12-game hitting streak.
- CLEVELAND: 2
KANSAS CITY: 7
Final
Sep 18 11:10 PM - Asdrubal Cabrera flied out to right to end the game.
Sep 18 11:01 PM - Alcides Escobar single to left scored Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain with one out. On the play, Alcides Escobar advances to second and Jarrod Dyson advances to third on the throw. Runners on second and third and Alex Gordon due up.
Guardians 2, Royals 7 Bot 8, 1 OutSep 18 10:51 PM - Jarrod Dyson walk scored Chris Getz with one out. Bases loaded and Alcides Escobar due up.
Guardians 2, Royals 5 Bot 8, 1 OutSep 18 10:41 PM - Alex Gordon stole second. Alcides Escobar stole home. Runner on second with one out and Emilio Bonifacio at the plate.
Guardians 2, Royals 4 Bot 5, 1 OutSep 18 9:28 PM - Michael Bourn sacrifice fly to left scored Michael Brantley with two out. None on and Nick Swisher due up.
Guardians 2, Royals 3 Top 3, 2 OutsSep 18 8:55 PM - Michael Brantley double to center scored Yan Gomes with none out. On the play, Michael Brantley advances to third on Jarrod Dyson's fielding error. Runner on third and Mike Aviles due up.
Guardians 1, Royals 3 Top 3, 0 OutsSep 18 8:50 PM - Salavador Perez scored on a Danny Salazar wild pitch with two out. None on and Mike Moustakas at the plate.
Guardians 0, Royals 3 Bot 1, 2 OutsSep 18 8:31 PM - Salvador Perez double to left scored Eric Hosmer and Billy Butle with two out. Runner on second and Mike Moustakas due up.
Guardians 0, Royals 2 Bot 1, 2 OutsSep 18 8:29 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
KANSAS CITY: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 18 8:14 PM
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