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Chisenhall, Tribe visit Royals

Jun 10, 2014 - 2:27 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Kansas City Royals try to slow down Lonnie Chisenhall on Tuesday when they open a brief two-game set with the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium.

Chisenhall had a night for the ages on Monday, as he homered three times and matched a franchise record by driving in nine runs in Cleveland's 17-7 drubbing of the Texas Rangers.

"It was fun to get the win and win the series. The personal success comes second," said Chisenhall. "It's a great night. I probably won't know the magnitude of it until later on."

Chisenhall finished 5-for-5 and drove in runs in each of his at-bats, which included a pair of two-run homers and a three-run shot. He became the first major leaguer since Boston's Fred Lynn in 1975 to compile at least five hits, three homers and nine RBI in a game and matched Chris James' franchise record for runs batted in, set on May 4, 1991.

Since May 18 Chisenhall leads the majors with a .421 average and has five home runs and 22 RBI over his last 10 games. The Indians have also won nine of their last 10 games in that span.

Hoping for that same type of support on Tuesday will be righty Corey Kluber, who is 6-3 with a 3.23 ERA. Kluber did not get a decision on Wednesday and had one his worst outings in some time, as the Boston Red Sox reached him for four runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings of his team's 7-4 win.

It was the first time since April 19 that Kluber surrendered more than three runs.

"For the most part, it was just not being able to quite finish guys off," Kluber said.

Kluber stands a good chance at getting back on track Tuesday, as he is a perfect 3-0 in six starts versus the Royals with a 3.55 ERA.

Kansas City, meanwhile, took two of three from the New York Yankees over the weekend, but had the finale of the four-game affair postponed by rain on Monday.

Jason Vargas was supposed to go for the Royals on Monday, but will now toe the rubber Tuesday, trying for his third straight solid start.

Vargas was terrific against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, as he held them to a pair of runs over eight innings. He did not get a decision, though, in his team's 5-2 loss.

The left-hander has allowed just four runs over his last three starts, spanning 20 1/3 innings. He only has one win in that time and is 5-2 on the year with a 3.28 ERA.

Vargas has faced the Indians six times and is 2-2 against them with a 4.98 ERA.

Cleveland took three of four from the Royals earlier this season.