Reigning AL Cy Young victor Corey Kluber, who has been out since late August with a strained hamstring, will start against the Royals on Thursday.
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Cleveland are now up against it as they look to earn an AL Wild Card and the defeat means they fall four games back of the Houston Astros in what was pitcher Cory Kluber’s 14 loss of the season. Without Ventura behind him, Perez scrambled, but not before a second run scored. Francona said the explosion shocked him a little and then admitted he’d never heard the fireworks go off when an Indians player hit a home run. Right-handers Ryan Madson, Kelvin Herrera, and Wade Davis combined to pitch three scoreless innings on one hit, with three strikeouts and no walks.Left-hander Franklin Morales came in to pitch the ninth and a throwing error by third baseman Mike Moustakas allowed left fielder Michael Martinez to reach second base. “We need wins”, said Tomlin.
In the seventh inning, now facing Gavin Floyd, Infante singled home two more runs, bringing hit total to seven and the Royals’ led to 8-3.
“Danny had a lack of command again and he’s fighting his mechanics”, Yost said.
“I just thought it was in his best interest and I think I have an obligation to keep an eye on guys like that”. If Duffy isn’t hitting his spots the outfield can’t shift and overload any part of the field; there’s no guarantee the ball will be hit in that direction. He has four doubles, two homers and four RBIs on the trip as he tries to anchor the job in right field for the playoffs.
Kansas City was a season-high 31 games over.500 (82-51) on September 3 before its recent rough stretch. “To have him and Omar down in the order give us a boost, that was big”. Well…Duffy didn’t so much “allow” it as Lindor demanded it. He thwomped that ball out beyond the left field fence. Kluber escaped further harm in the frame, but the Royals had a swift 3-0 advantage.
“I’m going to stay with Francisco (Lindor) this winter in Tampa and work out”, said Urshela. I tried to state my case, but ultimately, he makes the call.
“We had Brant up with a 3-0 count and had a chance to do some damage there”.
“That’s the way the game goes”. I would rather have the opportunities than not.
Closer Hector Rondon (6-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win for the Cubs (84-61), who drew within three games of the Pirates (87-58) for the first wild card.
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We knew we needed help. He has a 2.23 ERA in his past 17 starts dating to June 15. He will be replaced in the rotation by RHP Jeremy Guthrie, who in 23 starts earlier this season before being moved to the bullpen was 8-7 with a 5.65 ERA…. Anderson, 25, has gone 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA and a.184 opponents’ average in his past four turns.
