Tribe hope to get healthy against Royals
Post on: 2011-09-05 By: admin
(Sports Network) - Last night's meeting between the Indians and Royals was
highlighted by the presence of several players who have spent time in the
minor leagues this season. But while Kansas City is looking at its younger
players with an eye towards next season, injuries are forcing Cleveland's
The Tribe hope to have one healthy bat back this afternoon as they try to
avoid a series loss to the Royals in the finale of a three-game set.
Cleveland was without shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera last night after the All-Star
fouled a pitch off his left knee moments before hitting his career-high 22nd
homer of the season. He was forced to exit the game early, but hopes to be
The Indians could use him. They are currently missing several starters due to
injury, including Grady Sizemore, Jason Kipnis, Travis Hafner, Michael
Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo. The made the absence of Cabrera tougher to bare in
last night's 5-1 defeat that dropped Cleveland 6 1/2 games behind first-place
Detroit in the American League Central. Shorthanded or not, the Indians host
the Tigers for three games beginning on Monday.
"It's our team. We can't sit here and complain. [The Royals] ran out there
four guys that were in Omaha. We run five that were in Columbus, so you've
just got to get out there and fight and try to win the ball game," said
Cleveland manager Manny Acta, referring to the two team's Triple-A clubs.
Kansas City's Luke Hochevar gave up a sacrifice fly to Carlos Santana in the
first inning, but kept Cleveland off the scoreboard the rest of the way while
striking out eight batters over his eight innings. Jeff Francoeur came right
back to smack a two-run double in the bottom of the frame to put the Royals
"That was big. I cost myself that run in the first, then to turn around and
get two like that, that's big," said Hochevar, who lasted at least eight
innings for the second time in 29 outings this year.
Johnny Giavotella hit a solo homer for the Royals, who have won four of their
Jeanmar Gomez stepped in for an injured Josh Tomlin (sprained right elbow)
earlier this week and will do so again today for the Indians.
Gomez went 0-2 with a 5.70 earned run average over his first five appearances
of the season, including four starts, before returning to the majors on
Tuesday. In his first outing since July 17, the 23-year-old held Oakland to
one unearned run over six innings, working around six hits and a walk to pick
up the win and lower his ERA to 4.55.
The righty made his season debut on April 19 versus the Royals and struggled
in a loss. He was charged with five runs over 4 1/3 innings, falling to 1-2
with a 4.29 ERA in four career starts versus them.
After struggling through most of August, Jeff Francis has been sharp over his
past two outings and the Royals lefty looks to carry that momentum into
September this afternoon.
Francis went 0-3 with an 8.27 ERA over his first four starts of August, but
closed the month 1-0 in two outings while allowing two runs over 12 1/3
innings. Following a victory at Toronto on Aug. 25, the 30-year-old hurled 6
1/3 shutout innings at Detroit in a no-decision. He gave up just two hits and
Francis is 5-14 with a 4.64 ERA in 28 starts this season, including a victory
over the Indians on July 29. The veteran unleashed eight scoreless innings of
four-hit ball in that outing and is 2-2 with a 5.16 ERA against Cleveland
Cleveland is 11-6 against the Royals this season.
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Article original from: http://www.wgrz.com/sports/pro_baseball/MLB/article/133455/340/Tribe-hope-to-get-healthy-against-Royals
