The Cleveland Indians scored four times in the 10th inning to break a 3-3 tie and go on for a 7-3 victory to move to two games ahead of the Royals after Monday night’s game at Kauffman Stadium.
Rookie lefty Tim Collins got tagged with the loss. Collins was Carlos Santana. Then pinch hitter Shelley Duncan doubled into the left field corner. The ball bounced over Alex Gordon scoring Santana. After another walk, and a throwing error by shortstop Alcides Escobar, Jack Hannahan’s run scoring double and Grady Sizemore’s RBI single followed. In all nine Indians batted in the 10th.
Jeremy Jeffress struggled in relief of starter Kyle Davies, walking Michael Brantley in the seventh. Then a wild pickoff throw move him to third. Matt LaPorta singled Brantley home to tie the game at 3-3. Davies pitched six innings and left with a 3-2 lead.
Down 2-1 in the sixth, the Royals grabbed their first and only lead of the night, when Melky Cabrera doubled around a lead off single from Mike Aviles and a go-ahead single from Alex Gordon. With runners on first and second and nobody out, the Royals couldn’t do more damage.
Kila Ka’aihue popped up and Jeff Francouer grounded into a double play.