Indians' Carrasco wins first start since leukemia diagnosis

Carlos Carrasco started again. His inspiring comeback from cancer is complete.

More than a year since being stricken with leukemia, Carrasco struck out 10 in six-plus innings and José Ramírez homered twice as the Cleveland Indians clobbered the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Sunday to win two of three in the delayed season-opening series.

Ramírez hit a three-run homer left-handed in the fourth and added a solo shot from the right side in the sixth for the Indians, who finally put some solid swings together against Kansas City's bullpen.

From left to right, Cleveland Indians' Jose Ramirez is congratulated by Yu Chang and Cesar Hernandez after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning in a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

With his rotation currently thin due to pitchers testing positive for COVID-19, Royals manager Mike Matheny started reliever Ronald Bolaños (0-1), who gave up two runs in the first and took the loss.

Carrasco couldn't have imagined his journey when he took the mound on May 30, 2019, against the Chicago White Sox. Only days later, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, a blood disorder that threatened his life.

But he's back in Cleveland's rotation, and the sight of him starting warmed everyone who has followed his feel-good return.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco winds up in the first inning in a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

Carrasco was in command of the Royals from the outset. He allowed two runs and five hits before he was lifted after allowing a leadoff double in the seventh.

It's been a remarkable road back for the 33-year-old Carrasco, whose personal battle with the disease bonded his teammates and rallied Indians fans around the pitcher known as “Cookie.”

Carrasco's memorable on-field appearance at last year's All-Star Game led to an outpouring of support. “I Stand For Cookie” T-shirts became a fashion trend around town, and his return as a reliever late last season was the pinnacle of 2019 when the Indians failed to make the playoffs.

Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor watches his ball after hitting a one run double in the third inning in a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

Before Sunday's game, Indians manager Terry Francona appreciated the significance of Carrasco (1-0) starting again.

“The fact that he’s come so far and it’s not just that he’s conquered this and he’s pitching, which is really awesome," Francona said. “He's trying to win a game for us, and that’s even more awesome.”

Carrasco retired the first 10 Royals before giving up a one-out double to Adalberto Mondesi in the fourth. But by then, the Indians had scored four times — helped by two Kansas City errors — before Ramírez connected for Cleveland's first homer of the season to make it 7-1.

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco delivers in the first inning in a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

Unable to get any two-out hits in the first two games, the Indians finally connected in the first with Franmil Reyes and Domingo Santana delivering RBI singles. Cleveland came in 0 for 18 with two outs in the series.

The inning was helped by a throwing error by third baseman Erick Mejia and Bolanos' wild pitch.

All-Star Francisco Lindor, who started the season 1 for 10, had an RBI double and Ramírez scored four times for Cleveland.

Cleveland Indians' Jose Ramirez runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning in a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

FEUDING FRIENDS

Baseball's new automatic-runner rule triggered some playful social media sparring by former Indians teammates Mike Clevinger and Trevor Bauer.

Clevinger slammed the rule following the Indians' 3-2 loss on Saturday, saying, “This isn't travel ball. I’m not happy about it." The always outspoken Bauer, who was traded to Cincinnati by Cleveland last year, shot back at his friend on Twitter.

Cleveland Indians' Franmil Reyes hits an RBI-single in the first inning in a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

“But don’t both sides get a chance with a runner at second base?” Bauer asked his buddy.

Francona understands MLB's reasoning behind the rule, and said it's up to teams to adapt.

“You’re handed whatever rules or whatever challenges you’re dealt and you do the best you can,” he said.

Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor, center, is caught in a rundown between Kansas City Royals' Whit Merrifield, back, and Erick Mejia in the third inning in a baseball game Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Cleveland. Lindor was out on the play. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP MIke Montgomery starts the opener of a four-game series in Detroit.

Indians: Stay at home for three more games against the Chicago White Sox, with Aaron Civale starting for the Indians.

Cleveland Indians' Domingo Santana is tagged out by Kansas City Royals' Adalberto Mondesi at second base in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Cleveland. Santana tried to advance to second base on a single on the play. (AP PhotoTony Dejak)

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Nigeria’s preparations for its Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal against Algeria have been dogged by speculation about internal strife involving star striker Victor Osimhen and reports that the players were not being paid their bonuses.

Nigeria coach Éric Chelle would not comment on the reports Friday, when he said such questions need to be directed to the Nigeria Football Federation.

“This is my job, to stay focused — to try to stay focused — to stay focused about only the pitch (field), and definitely my job is on the pitch, not around,” Chelle said in Marrakech a day before Nigeria plays Algeria in the city.

The NFF still advertises a vacancy for the position of head coach of the men’s team, a year and a day after it appointed Chelle to the position.

Nigerian media outlets reported that the players had threatened not to train or travel to Marrakech for the match unless they were paid agreed bonuses for winning their first four Africa Cup games.

The team arrived in Marrakech on Thursday and had its first training session there the same day. Chelle said they would train again later Friday.

Chelle declined to comment about reports that Osimhen was on the verge of walking out of the team after an on-field argument with teammate Ademola Lookman during the Super Eagles’ 4-0 win over Mozambique in the last 16 on Monday.

“I prefer to speak about the (upcoming) game. Victor is there and that’s all,” Chelle said. “Yes, everyone’s speaking about Osimhen and Lookman, it’s normal, they’re the last two best African players, but we’re here to serve them to score, we’re working for them. We’re a team, and that’s what teamwork is all about.”

Osimhen scored two goals in that match with Lookman involved in both, but apparently he was furious when Lookman tried scoring instead of setting him up for another.

Lookman played down the argument when asked about it post-game, when he said it was “just football” and called Osimhen his “brother.”

Lookman also subsequently posted photos on social media of him celebrating with Osimhen with the caption “together always.”

Nigeria, which lost the final to Ivory Coast in the last edition, is bidding to win the title for the fourth time. It would help make up for the disappointment of failing to qualify for the World Cup.

Both of Algeria’s two titles included wins over Nigeria on the way – twice in 1990 and again in the semifinals in 2019.

AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations

Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle looks out from the bench prior to the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle, right, gives instructions to Nigeria's goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, center, celebrates with Nigeria's Ademola Lookman, right, after scoring his side's third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, center, celebrates with Nigeria's Ademola Lookman, front, after scoring his side's third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Nigeria and Mozambique in Fez, Morocco, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)