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Indians edge Royals in Thome's return

Aug 27, 2011 - 5:36 AM

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Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Bolstered by a gritty performance from Ubaldo Jimenez, the Indians marked Jim Thome's heralded return to Cleveland with a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Jimenez (2-1) allowed just one run on seven hits while fanning 10 to earn the win in the opener of this three-game set.

Thome, donning an Indians uniform for the first time since 2002, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, but undoubtedly lent life to a frenzied, sold out Progressive Field.

"That was exciting, when you get a crowd like that," said Jimenez. "They were here for Thome's homecoming. That was great."

Jack Hannahan hit a game-tying RBI single in the seventh and Ezequiel Carrera drew a bases-loaded walk later in the frame for the Indians, who had lost six of their last seven games entering Friday. They trail the Tigers by 6 1/2 games for first place in the AL Central.

In the ninth, the Royals placed the tying run at third, but Chris Perez settled to record his 28th save of the season.

Felipe Paulino (2-6) allowed two runs on six hits and four walks over 6 2/3 innings to suffer the loss, although Tim Collins issued the walk to Carrera.

Eric Hosmer hit his 12th home run of the season for Kansas City.

Thome, who was acquired from the Twins on Thursday, saw his career come full circle on Friday, batting cleanup and serving as the designated hitter for the Indians. He broke into the majors with the club in 1991 and stands as the team's all-time home run leader.

Cleveland fans showed their appreciation, greeting the slugger with a standing ovation when he led off the second inning. Perhaps overwhelmed by the moment, Thome uncharacteristically jumped on the first pitch and was retired on a slow dribbler back to Paulino.

Thome led off again in the fifth, but went down looking. Later in the frame, the Indians, trying to erase Hosmer's leadoff fourth-inning homer, placed runners on first and second behind a pair of two-out singles from Kosuke Fukudome and Shelley Duncan. Hannahan followed with a base hit through the left side, but Alex Gordon cut down Fukudome at the plate to record his major league-leading 20th outfield assist.

Hannahan was given another chance in the seventh. Thome again went down on strikes to begin the inning, but Carlos Santana followed with a walk and Fukudome singled. Two batters later, Hannahan ripped a game-tying single up the middle.

Collins entered after a Lou Marson walk and issued a free pass to Carrera to push the decisive run across.

"That's just unacceptable, going in there bases loaded and walking that first guy," said Collins.

Vinnie Pestano relieved Jimenez to begin the eighth and faced the minimum.

Mike Moustakas led off the top of the ninth with a single, advanced to second on an Alcides Escobar sac bunt and to third on Salvador Perez's fly out, but Chris Getz lined out to right to end the game.

Game Notes

Thome was initially with Cleveland from 1991-2002. He stands as the club's all-time home run (334) and walks (997) leader, while ranking second in RBI (927). He was acquired from the Twins for a player to be named later...Prior to the game, the Indians placed outfielder Michael Brantley and pitcher Josh Tomlin on the 15-day disabled list. The Tribe also recalled pitcher Nick Hagadone from Triple-A Columbus.






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