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Indians Hammer Royals For Sweep, 13-7
April 16, 2012 By Todd Shapiro
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The Indians are probably wishing they could stay in Kansas City all season. Cleveland completed its best offensive weekend in 12 years Sunday with a 13-7 over the Royals.
After two bench clearing incidents and three ejections on Saturday the only fireworks Sunday come from the Indians bats as Shelly Duncan, Casey Kotchman, Travis Hafner and Jason Kipnis all went deep for the Tribe. The Indians are now tied for the league lead in home run with 15. At least one Cleveland hitter has hit a home run in each game thus far in 2012.
Cleveland (4-4) scored 33 runs in the series, scoring eight or more in each of its first three road games for the first time in franchise history.
"It was great for us confidence-wise," Hafner said. "We feel like we have a good offense, with a bunch of guys capable of hitting 15 to 20 homers. We feel like we can keep it going from here."
The news wasn't as good on the pitching side where Ubaldo Jimenez struggled in his second start of the year. Jimenez went five innings, enough to earn his first win of the year, but allowed four runs and nine hits. He struck out five and walked three.
Kansas City (3-6) got three runs in the second but the Indians struck back for six runs of their own in third, scoring all of runs with two outs.
"Something we started last year was just worrying about having a quality at-bat," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "It's not basketball. The clock is not going to run out. The two-out rally is something we take pride in."
Things got so bad for the Royals that centerfielder Mitch Maier came on to pitch the ninth inning to aide an already depleted bullpen.
Hafner, Kotchman and Michael Brantley all had three hits for the Indians and Duncan reached base four times, drawing three walks.
Luis Mendoza took the loss for Kansas City, dropping his record to 0-2.
Cleveland is off Monday before continuing the road trip a three-game series in Seattle. All three games at Safeco Field will begin at 10:10 PM Cleveland time.
