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Hafner, Indians sweep Royals in two-game set

May 18, 2011 - 4:12 AM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Travis Hafner hit a three-run double to lead Cleveland past Kansas City, 7-3, for a two-game sweep.

Carlos Carrasco (2-2) earned the win, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. He also struck out five in 5 1/3 innings as the Indians won their third straight.

Sean O'Sullivan (2-3) went five innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two in the Royals' fourth consecutive loss.

"I wanted to come out tonight have a real big game for us," said O'Sullivan. "Maybe I put too much pressure on myself and tried to be too fine around the strike zone."

Cleveland loaded the bases with one out in the first after Michael Brantley led off with a double, Shin-Soo Choo was hit by a pitch and Carlos Santana walked. Hafner then cleared the bases with a double to give the Indians an early three-run advantage.

Kansas City got a run back in the second on a Matt Treanor single that scored Eric Hosmer. Hosmer tripled with one out before being knocked in two batters later.

The Indians loaded the bases again with one down in the fourth. Orlando Cabrera singled, Matt LaPorta walked and Jack Hannahan singled before Brantley followed with a sacrifice fly to make the score 4-1.

Santana hit a solo home run and Travis Buck later singled in a run in the fifth to add to Cleveland's lead.

"I think it's always important whenever you have a chance to score early and give your starter a little room for error. I think that 3-spot in the first was important, then Carlos (Carrasco) went out and really threw a good game tonight," said Hafner.

Jeff Francoeur doubled and was brought home by a Hosmer single in the sixth and the Tribe's lead was cut to 6-2.

But Cleveland got that run right back in the seventh when Asdrubal Cabrera led off with a homer to left-center off of Everett Teaford, who was making his major-league debut after being called up by Kansas City on Monday.

The Royals picked up their final run on a Melky Cabrera single against Chris Perez in the ninth.

Game Notes

Cleveland outscored Kansas City 26-4 in the series...The Indians have beaten the Royals in seven of nine meetings this season and 10 of 12 dating back to last year...Asdrubal Cabrera extended his hit streak to eight games...Both teams were 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position.