Alex Gordon homered on the game’s first pitch, as the Royals scored three, first innings runs to back James Shields who overcame a shaky first inning, and the Royals beat the Cleveland Indians 6-2 on Wednesday in a matchup of teams fighting for an American League playoff spot.
The Royals had a home run, a triple and a single on the game’s first seven pitches to take a 2-0 lead. Kansas City added a run in the first inning.
Shields (11-9) gave up two runs, two hits, and hit a batter in the bottom half . giving up two runs before settling down. He went eight innings and struck out seven. Greg Holland pitched the ninth and entered with two runners on, before closing the game out with his 42nd save.