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Royals vs Indians: Shields, Perez Show Up Big in 7-1 Win

By Joel Wagler

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The Kansas City Royals (79-71) are not to just going to fade away. This scrappy squad sailed to a 7-1 victory over their fellow wild card contenders and divisional rivals, the Cleveland Indians (81-69). The Royals have been playing catch up almost all season and they are not about to give up now.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

James Shields came through in another big game for the Royals. In a game in which a loss would have spelled out doom for Kansas City, Shields came out with fire and passion. He went 6 innings, giving up just 1 run on 6 hits and 2 walks. He struck out a season high 10. He battled the patient Indian batters all evening.

Wade Davis, Luke Hochevar, and Tim Collins each pitched a scoreless frame in relief, combining to strikeout 7 in three innings. Luckily for the Royals, manager Ned Yost remembered the bullpen was there, and was able to use it properly this night.

At the Plate

How can any Royal fan not love Salvador Perez? He provided a huge spark in the 6th inning when, with a slim 2-1 lead, Perez led off the inning with a flat out hustle triple. Lorenzo Cain took note and followed suit with a triple of his own. Before the frame was over, the Royals had broken the game open with three tallies.

Perez finished the night going 3-4 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Emilio Bonifacio, Billy Butler, David Lough, and Alcides Escobar all had 2 hits in the win as the Royals racked up 14 hits as a team.

This and That

17 strikeouts is the most ever by the Royals in a 9-inning game, breaking the previous mark set 6 times. The record for extra innings is also 17, set twice.

The Royals are now within 2.5 games of the final wild card berth with 12 games remaining.

Prospect Yordano Ventura will make his major league debut tonight in place of the injured Danny Duffy. Duffy, who had Tommy John surgery in June of 2012, has some stiffness and inflammation in his pitching elbow. Stay tuned to KC Kingdom for more on Ventura later in the day.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Big Game James and Salvy are going to share the honors for this one. High honorable mention to the bullpen and David Lough, who went 2-2 with three runs produced.

Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Indians

Scott Kazmir went just 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and a walk. He started the 6th inning but when Perez and Cain hit the back-to-back triples, his night was over. Both runners came home to roost.

The Indian batters struck out 17 times on the night. Michael Bourn, Carlos Santana, and Jason Kipnis each struck thrice.

Lonnie Chisenhall manufactured the only Cleveland run with 5th inning home run.

Up Next

Yordano Ventura makes his MLB debut tonight against Corey Kluber (9-5, 3.55 ERA). Ventura does not have a history of going deep in games in the minors so expect to a lot of the bullpen tonight.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (87-63): Rick Porcello struck out 10 in 6 innings while surrendering just one run in the Tigers’ 4-2 win over the Mariners.

Minnesota Twins (64-85): Liam Hendriks didn’t make it out of the 1st innings as he gave up 7 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks while recording just 2 outs. The Twins were pummeled 12-1 by the White Sox.

Chicago White Sox (59-91): Chicago took out a season’s worth of frustration out on the Twins, mostly in the first inning, in route to a 12-1 win. Alex Ramirez went 4-4 with a home run, 2 runs scored, 3 RBI, and a walk. Adam Dunn, Dayan Viciedo, and Jordan Danks also hit round trippers in the blow out.

WILD CARD STANDINGS

  1. TAMPA BAY RAYS (82-67, 0 GB)
  2. TEXAS RANGERS (81-68, 0 GB)
  3. CLEVELAND INDIANS (81-69, .5 GB)
  4. BALTIMORE ORIOLES (79-70, 2 GB)
  5. KANSAS CITY ROYALS (79-71, 2.5 GB)
  6. NEW YORK YANKEES (79-71, 2.5 GB)
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