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The Royals spotted the Indians three early runs, but they came back to win anyway on Sunday afternoon, 9-6. They salvaged the last game of the series after losing the first three.
Danny Duffy served up a three-run homer to Carlos Santana in the first inning, but the Royals put together a steady attack on Indians starter Trevor Bauer. They snagged a run back in the first on a Hunter Dozier RBI single. And in the third, Ryan O’Hearn grounded out to first, but with a runner heading home, first baseman Jake Bauers fired the ball way over the catchers’ head, Lucas Duda style. Two runs scored, tying the contest 3-3.
Cleveland got two quick runs after that to make it 5-3, but that would be the turning point of the afternoon. In the fifth inning, the Royals rallied to put five runs on the board and chase Bauer from the game.
Here is the fifth inning: Gordon single, Dozier double, Soler walk, O’Hearn RBI single, Cuthbert RBI single, Starling strikeout, Lopez 2 RBI single, Viloria single. Five runs on the board. Bauer chased. Lead garnered.
Bauer allowed seven earned runs (nine total) in 4.1 innings of work. It was one of the worst career outings from one of the league’s better pitchers.
Duffy wasn’t a whole lot better, but he did get the win because of a great performance by his offense. He made it through 6 innings of work allowing four earned runs on seven hits. But he did get the win to improve to 5-5 on the year.
Jorge Soler added his 28th homer of the year later in the afternoon, moving within 10 of Mike Moustakas’ franchise record. Cleveland hit a solo homer late to make the score 9-6, which was the final tally.
The Royals are now 40-67. They remain at home to take on the Blue Jays for three games starting tomorrow.