Royals 2 - 1 Guardians
Final
  for this game

Indians, Royals close set in Cleveland

Aug 28, 2011 - 2:43 PM

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(Sports Network) - Justin Masterson tries to bounce back from a rare bad start this afternoon when the Cleveland Indians close out a three-game set with the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field.

Masterson allowed five runs for the first time since late May on Tuesday against Seattle, but nearly pitched a complete game, as he exited after 8 1/3 frames. He avoided a decision when his team rallied for a 7-5 win.

The sinker-balling right-hander, who is 10-7 with a 2.83 ERA, is 3-2 in 13 games (eight starts) against the Royals with a 3.88 ERA.

Kansas City, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Bruce Chen, who has won his last four starts. Chen beat the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, surrendering three runs and four hits in 7 2/3 innings, as he improved to 9-5 to go along with a 4.12 ERA.

Chen beat the Indians the last time he faced them and is 4-2 lifetime against them with a 5.03 ERA in 10 games. six of which have been starts.

On Saturday, Asdrubal Cabrera knocked in the go-ahead runs with a two-out, three-run homer in the eighth inning, as Cleveland eked out an 8-7 win.

An inning earlier, Alex Gordon gave the Royals a 7-4 lead with a three-run blast, but Cabrera doubled in a run in the home half, then followed a Lonnie Chisenhall single and a Kosuke Fukudome walk with a homer in the eighth to make a loser of Louis Coleman (1-4).

Joe Smith (3-3) recorded the final out in the top of the eighth to earn the win, while Chris Perez stranded a runner at second in the ninth to record his 29th save of the season.

Jim Thome, acquired by Cleveland on Thursday, celebrated his 41st birthday with a solo home run, while Jack Hannahan went 2-for-4 with three RBI for the Indians, who trail the AL Central-leading Tigers by 6 1/2 games.

Cleveland is 10-4 versus the Royals this season.






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