The Kansas City Royals drop the rubber game of their weekend series with Cleveland, losing 5-3 to the Indians in 11 innings Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.
The Indians got on the board first, in the 2 nd inning. Ryan Garko, who singled to lead off the inning, eventually scored on a Casey Blake base hit.
Cleveland went on top 2-0 in the 5 th . Blake, who led off with a base hit, advanced to second on an error, moved to third on a single, then came home when Asdrubal Cabrera grounded into a double play.
The Royals put some runs on the board in the 6 th . David DeJesus and ross Glaod led off with back to back singles. Both advanced on a fielder’s choice, then scored on an Emil Brown base hit. Brown moved to second on a fielder’s choice, and came home on a Shane Costa single to put the Royals on top 3-2.
That lead wouod not hold up as the Indians scored a run in the top of the 9 th to tie the score at 3 and send the game to extra innings.
In the top of the 11 th , the Indians scored a pair of runs with two out to take a 5-3 lead. And, that’s the way it would end.
Rafael Betancourt (3-0) pitched 2 perfect innings to earn the victory. Joe Borowski tossed a perfect inning to earn his 37 th save. Joel Peralta (1-3) gave up 1 run in 1 1/3 innings to take the loss. Kansas City starter Gil Meche, who was not involved in the decision, pitched 6 ztrong innings, allowing 2 earned runs on 7 hits.
The Royals have an off day on Monday before welcoming the American League Champion Detroit Tigers to the K Tuesday night. In the opener, the Royals send Brian Bannister (10-7) to the mound against the Tigers’ Nate Robertson (7-10).