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Indians try to continue hot start in KC

Apr 19, 2011 - 2:49 PM (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians target the best start in 23 years this evening, when they continue a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Cleveland improved to 12-4 on Monday, as Shelley Duncan's RBI, pinch-hit double paved the way for a four-run 10th inning, helping the Indians to a 7-3 win. Grady Sizemore, in his second game back from the disabled list, went 3- for-5 with an RBI and a run scored to help the Tribe win their fourth consecutive game.

"I'm still getting a feel out there, but I feel good now and having some early success, which is always going to make it easier for you," said Sizemore.

Cleveland is off to its best start since 1999 and with another victory tonight the team will post their best mark since opening the 1988 campaign, 14-3.

Reliever Joe Smith (1-0) earned the win for Cleveland in 1 1/3 innings of work while allowing just one walk and no hits. Carlos Carrasco started and allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings.

Since allowing 17 combined runs in consecutive losses to the Chicago White Sox to open the season, Indians starters are 9-1 and have posted a 2.03 earned run average, while producing 13 quality starts in their last 14 games.

Kansas City relief pitcher Tim Collins (1-1) allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in the 10th inning to give the Royals their second loss in a row.

"We didn't help ourselves. That's for sure," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "We really struggled to command the ball, especially out of the pen. Leadoff walks in the seventh and 10th inning really hurt us in those situations."

Alex Gordon extended his hitting streak in the loss to 12 games.

Hoping to keep the Indians rolling tonight will be righty Jeanmar Gomez, who will be starting in place of the injured Mitch Talbot. Gomez made 11 starts for Cleveland last season and was 4-5 with a 4.68. Three of those starts came against the Royals and he was 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in those contests.

Gomez had pitched to a 1.42 ERA in two outings with Triple-A Columbus this season.

"He only had two starts, but he was very good down there," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said. "He survived over here last year because he was able to throw strikes. We're expecting him to do that again."

Kansas City, meanwhile, will hand the ball to veteran left-hander Bruce Chen, who is off to a 2-0 start and has pitched to a 2.37 ERA in his three appearances. Chen tossed eight scoreless innings to beat the Seattle Mariners his last time out and has allowed just one run in his last two starts.

Last year, Chen was 3-0 with a 3.54 ERA in five games (three starts) against the Tribe. For his career he is 3-2 against Cleveland with a 5.57 ERA in nine games, five of which have been starts.

Cleveland was 10-8 against the Royals last season.