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Indians hand Jimenez ball in finale at K.C.

Apr 29, 2013 - 2:48 PM (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians could be losing their patience with righty Ubaldo Jimenez. The right-hander gets yet another chance to turn it around on Monday when the Tribe closes out a four-game set with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

After an impressive showing to start the year, Jimenez has been awful his last three times out, going 0-2, while allowing 18 runs in 13 innings. He did not get a decision the last time he pitched on April 21 in Houston, as he surrendered four runs and four hits in five innings. Jimenez had given up seven runs in each of his two previous outings.

Jimenez has faced the Royals four times and is 2-2 with a 4.43 ERA.

Cleveland split a day/night doubleheader with the Royals on Sunday. The Tribe dropped a 9-0 decision in the opener to fall for the third straight time, but erupted in the nightcap, as Mike Aviles smacked a three-run homer and finished with five RBI to help Cleveland rout the Royals, 10-3.

"It's always fun to come back and play here," said Aviles, who spent his first three-plus seasons in Kansas City. "I always have a soft spot in my heart for Kansas City because it's a great place. It's a great town. Not many people know about it."

Cleveland starter Corey Kluber (2-0) allowed just two runs on seven hits while striking out six over seven frames to earn the victory in his first start of the season.

Chris Getz plated a pair of runs and Lorenzo Cain contributed an RBI for the Royals, who had won three straight and five of their last six games.

Kansas City starter Will Smith (0-1) was recalled from Triple-A Omaha before the game and gave up six runs -- four earned -- on seven hits over four-plus frames to absorb the loss.

"We played crummy," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said of the loss. "We didn't play good. We didn't play good defensively. We didn't make smart decision on the basepaths. It happens."

Getting the call for the Royals will be righty Wade Davis, who is 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA. Davis suffered his first loss of the season on Wednesday in Detroit, as the Tigers tagged him for seven runs (3 earned) and eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings. He also walked four batters in the awful effort.

Davis is 2-0 in six games (2 starts) against the Indians with a 2.89 ERA.

Kansas City was 10-8 against the Indians last season.