Royals 4 - 9 Guardians
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Indians, Royals meet seeking much-needed win

Apr 26, 2011 - 2:41 PM

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(Sports Network) - When the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals squared off last week it was a matchup between two of the hottest teams in the American League. Tonight, though, both clubs could just use a win, as they play the first of three games at Progressive Field.

After Cleveland lost the finale of its four-game affair last week in Kansas City, the red-hot Indians were swept in a weather-abbreviated two-game set by the Minnesota Twins. The three-game slide is the longest of the year for the Indians, who return home tonight where they have won seven in a row.

Things didn't go much better for the Royals over the weekend, as they lost all three games in their series with the Texas Rangers. The one bright spot was Alex Gordon, who comes into tonight's tilt riding an 18-game hitting streak. He is batting .390 during the tear (30-for-77) with one homer, 14 RBI and 18 runs scored.

Kansas City's troubles could continue tonight when they face sinker-balling right-hander Justin Masterson, who is 4-0 on the year with a 1.71 ERA.

Masterson, the first Indians pitcher since Cliff Lee in 2008 to win his first four outings, defeated the Royals his last time out, allowing a pair of runs and six hits in six innings. He also walked a season-high five batters in the victory.

Masterson has faced the Royals 11 times (six starts) and is 2-2 with a 4.21 ERA.

Kansas City, meanwhile, will rely on the right arm of Luke Hochevar, who lost to Masterson and the Indians in his last outing. Hochevar carried a perfect game into the sixth inning in that one and finished by allowing six runs and five hits in six-plus innings. He also committed two balks in the loss.

"His stuff for the first five innings was as good as I've ever seen him out there," said Kansas City manager Ned Yost. "(Michael) Brantley led off the sixth with a hit and then it just unraveled."

The Indians, who won 10 of their 18 matchups with KC a year ago, haven't won eight straight at home since April 29-May 18, 2007. The Royals lost the final three contests of a four-game set in their last trip to Cleveland.






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