Before Windows XP released a service pack, typing "The Indians and Royals met today in a battle between first- and second-place teams" would crash your computer. That’s fixed now, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still a surprising thing to type. In the first game of a three-game set, the Cleveland Indians hit five home runs and clubbed the Kansas City Royals into submission, winning at home on Tuesday night, 9-4.
Royals Vs. Indians: Home Runs Propel Cleveland To Power-Filled Win
The Indians didn’t start the night with the long ball, instead scoring their first run on an RBI groundout from Shin-Soo Choo. Jack Hannahan would follow with a homer in the third to give Cleveland a 2-0 lead that would last only until Alex Gordon and Billy Butler hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the fourth, tying the game.
From there, it was a battle of thuggish brawn. Matt LaPorta hit a home run in the fifth that was immediately followed by Hannahan’s second of the night to put the Indians up 4-2. Melky Cabrera closed the gap with a solo shot in the sixth, but a three-run homer from Choo in the seventh and a two-run blast from Grady Sizemore in the eighth put the game out of reach.
Indians starter Justin Masterson continued his hot start, moving to 5-0 on the season after allowing three earned runs in 6-2/3 innings. Luke Hochevar couldn’t keep the ball in the park, allowing three of the Indians’ home runs and giving up six runs in 6-1/3 innings.
The series continues tomorrow, with Jeff Francis going for the Royals and Josh Tomlin starting for the Indians.
For more on the Royals and Indians, please visit team blogs Royals Review and Let’s Go Tribe.
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