Kansas City Royals Offense Comes Alive to Defeat Indians

Sep 23, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler (16) and first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) celebrate in the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals smacked 13 hits and scored 7 runs to pummel Cleveland 7-1 at Progressive Field on Wednesday night.

Kansas City’s win pushed the Indians to the brink of extinction at 4.5 games behind Kansas City for the A.L. wild card race. The Indians have been eliminated from the A.L. Central race.

Unfortunately, the Tigers withstood a late rally by the White Sox that tied up the game at 3-3 and scored in the bottom of the 9th to walkoff with a 4-3 victory. The win keeps the Tigers 1 game ahead of Kansas City in the A.L. Central, however the Tigers face White Sox ace Chris Sale tomorrow.

On the Mound

Yordano Ventura pitched his 2nd straight outstanding game, going 7.0 innings, allowing 4 hits, 4 walks, and 0 earned runs with with 6 strikeouts. Ventura left with the Royals leading 7-0, and won his 14th game of the season (14-10) with an outstanding 3.07 ERA. Ventura has given Kansas City everything they could have hoped for in his rookie season.

Scott Downs entered in the 8th and allowed 1 run on 1 hit.

Jason Frasor finished up in the 9th with a clean inning.

At the Plate7

Indians starter Danny Salazar mowed down the Royals in the first 3 innings, giving up only 3 hits and 0 earned runs with 6 strikeouts. However, the Royals caught up to him in the 4th inning by plating 2 runs.

Billy Butler opened the inning with a walk, followed by a single from Alex Gordon to put runners at 1st and 2nd. One out later, Omar Infante doubled to left to put Kansas City up 2-0.

In the 5th, the Royals pulled off a 3-run rally with 2-outs in the inning. Eric Hosmer hit a double, and scored on Billy Butler’s ground rule double that bounced over the wall. The Indians then put Alex Gordon on with an intentional walk, before Salvador Perez plated both runners with KC’s 3rd double of the inning.

The Royals tacked on 2 more runs in the 7th after Hosmer and Butler opened the inning with singles, and Alex Gordon brought them home with yet another double.

Alex Gordon had the big day, going 2 for 4 with a single, double, 1 walk, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI’s.

Overall, Kansas City slammed 13 hits, drew 3 walks, smacked 6 extra-base hits (all doubles) and plated 7 runs.

This and That

The Royals scored 7 or more runs for only the 2nd time since August 19.

Kansas City matched its win total from last season by recording their 86th win. It’s the first time since 1977-78 in which the Royals posted 86 or more wins in consecutive seasons.

The Royals can eliminate Cleveland with a win on Wednesday night. The Indians trail the Royals by 4.5 games with only 4 more to play for Cleveland, and 5 for Kansas City. At best, the Indians can only tie the Royals for the A.L.’s 2nd wild card.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Yordano Ventura gets our nod for his 7 shutout innings in his 14th victory of the season.