Indians Batter Jeremy Guthrie in Royals Loss

Jul 5, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie (11) reacts after giving up a home run in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Indians battered Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie for 11 hits and 6 earned runs in 4 innings on their way to a 7-3 victory over Kansas City at Jacob Field Saturday night.,

Guthrie’s awful performance was matched by the Royals offense, which somehow managed to plate no more than 3 runs on 12  hits and 3 walks. In particular, they failed to score a run after loading the bases, with no outs, in the 9th inning.

The loss drops the Royals to 45-41. Kansas City lost an opportunity to gain ground on the Tigers, who lost to Tampa Bay. The Royals remain 4 games behind division-leading Detroit in the A.L Central.

On the MoundK

We already know Jeremy Guthrie didn’t have it. He gave up 11 hits, 2 walks and 6 earned runs with 5 strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. He very deservedly earned his 7th loss of the season (5-7).

Francisley Bueno entered in the 5th and did a good job keeping the Royals in the game with 3 innings of scoreless relief.

Casey Coleman allowed 2 hits and 1 earned run in the 8th to give Cleveland an important insurance run in the 9th.

At the Plate

The Royals stranded 8 runners. In general, they managed to score the least amount of runs possible from every opportunity.

Danny Valencia had the best night, going 3-4, with a solo home run (2), 1 run scored, and 1 RBI.

The Royals somehow managed only 3 runs despite 8 of 9 starters getting at least one hit. Even Jarrod Dyson, who went 0-3, managed to reach base with a walk.

Omar Infante and Billy Butler hit in front of Danny Valencia and both went 2-4 with 2 singles. Despite having 2, 2-4 hitters in front of a guy that went 3-4, the Royals could never punch through with a big inning.

This and That

Christian Colon sat Saturday night after his 3-4 start with 3 extra base hits on Friday. The Royals sure could have used some of that on Saturday.

Alcides Escobar got his 21st stolen base, and Lorenzo Cain swiped his 8th, running against former Royals backup catcher George Kottaras.

Lorenzo Cain chased a high fastball out of the zone to strike out with the bases-loaded and no outs in the 9th inning. With the count full at the time, Cain’s poor decision completely turned the momentum in the inning. Before this mistake, the Royals had Indians closer Cody Allen on the ropes. Instead, he ended the threat by getting Eric Hosmer to ground into a double play—earning his 8th save.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

I guess our award has to go, by default, to 3B Danny Valencia for his 3-4 night with a home run. I was tempted to go with Francisley Bueno for his relief work gave the Royals a chance to come back

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• Billy Butler – 2
• Danny Valencia
• Christian Colon
• Raul Ibanez
• Jarrod Dyson – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 5
• Johnny Giavotella
• Wade Davis
• Norichika Aoki
• Salvador Perez – 5
• Jeremy Guthrie  – 5
• Jason Vargas – 6
• Alex Gordon – 9
• Bruce Chen
• James Shields – 6
• Yordano Ventura – 4
• Mike Moustakas
• Danny Duffy – 6
• Omar Infante – 3
• Mike Moustakas – 4,
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• Eric Hosmer – 9
• Michael Mariot

The Indians

Michael Bourn had a great game for the Indians. Not only did he hit a solo home run off Guthrie to begin the scoring for Cleveland, he also drew two walks while going 1-3 on the evening. Bourn also rung up Billy Butler trying to go from 1st to 3rd on Danny Valencia’s single in the 5th.

Cleveland starter T.J. House (1-2) earned his first big league win by going 6.0 innings, allowing 9 hits, 0 walks, 3 earned runs with 3 strikeouts.

Up Next

Kansas City and Cleveland finish their 3-game series on Sunday. The Royals will send Danny Duffy (5-7, 2.60 ERA) to the mound against Corey Kluber (7-6, 2.99 ERA) for the Indians. Game time is 12:05 CST at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.

Box

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

2B: L Cain (16, off T House).
HR: D Valencia (2, off T House, 7th inn, 0 on, 0 outs to Deep LF-CF).
TB: D Valencia 6; B Butler 2; O Infante 2; L Cain 2; A Gordon; S Perez; E Hosmer; A Escobar.
GIDP: E Hosmer (11); A Escobar (5).
RBI: E Hosmer (37); O Infante (42); D Valencia (10).
Team LOB: 8.
With RISP: 1 for 11.
Fielding
Outfield Assists: L Cain (A Cabrera at 3rd base).
Baserunning
SB: L Cain (8, 3rd base off T House/G Kottaras); A Escobar (21, 2nd base off C Allen/G Kottaras).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

2B: J Kipnis (14, off J Guthrie).
HR: M Bourn (3, off J Guthrie, 3rd inn, 0 on, 0 outs to Deep RF).
TB: M Bourn 4; M Brantley 3; J Kipnis 3; C Santana 2; L Chisenhall 2; A Cabrera 2; D Murphy; N Swisher.
RBI: N Swisher 2 (29); D Murphy (42); L Chisenhall (39); M Brantley (56); J Kipnis (23); M Bourn (21).
2-out RBI: J Kipnis; L Chisenhall.
Team LOB: 9.
With RISP: 4 for 10.
Fielding
DP: 2. J Kipnis-A Cabrera-C Santana; A Cabrera-J Kipnis-C Santana.
Outfield Assists: M Bourn (B Butler at 3rd base).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

Balks: None.
WP: C Allen (4).
HBP: None.
IBB: None.
Pickoffs: None.