Maikel Franco and Bubba Starling had RBI singles in the eighth inning as the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 on Monday night in the first game of a three-game series.
It was the Royals’ first win this season when trailing after seven innings.
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Maikel Franco and Bubba Starling had RBI singles in the eighth inning as the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Cleveland Indians 2-1 on Monday night in the first game of a three-game series.
James Karinchak (0-2) took the loss. He walked the first two batters he faced, and they scored on the hits by Franco and Starling.
The pitcher’s duel came as no surprise, with Bieber and Keller on the mound. Bieber came in leading the MLB with a 1.35 ERA in seven starts. Keller did not allow a run in his first three starts after beginning the season on the injured list recovering from COVID-19. He allowed five runs on six hits in four innings in his last start, and had a 2.08 ERA.
Once Bieber left the game, the Royals got two runners on in the seventh. But Nick Wittgren made an over-the-shoulder catch on a Whit Merrifield line drive to end the threat.
ROSTER MOVES
Scott Barlow (2-1) picked up the win in relief for Kansas City. He pitched one inning, allowing two hits and no runs. Greg Holland recorded his second save.
Kansas City Royals' Bubba Starling (11) celebrates with first base coach Damon Hollins (39) after hitting an RBI-single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
James Karinchak (0-2) took the loss. He walked the first two batters he faced, and they scored on the hits by Franco and Starling.
Shane Bieber continued his stellar start to the 2020 season. He threw six scoreless innings, striking out nine and allowing just one hit. He also lowered his major league-leading ERA to 1.20, and increased his major league lead to 84 strikeouts.
Brad Keller allowed just one run in 6 1/3 innings on three hits. He walked just one and struck out four.
Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez catches a fly ball for an out against Kansas City Royals' Nicky Lopez during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
The pitcher’s duel came as no surprise, with Bieber and Keller on the mound. Bieber came in leading the MLB with a 1.35 ERA in seven starts. Keller did not allow a run in his first three starts after beginning the season on the injured list recovering from COVID-19. He allowed five runs on six hits in four innings in his last start, and had a 2.08 ERA.
The starters lived up to the hype. Through six innings, Bieber and Keller had allowed one hit each. Keller retired 11 straight at one point.
The Indians finally got to Keller in the seventh. After retiring Francisco Lindor leading off, he gave up a single to Carlos Santana, and then an RBI double to Franmil Reyes. Keller left after allowing one run on three hits. It was one too many against Bieber.
Cleveland Indians' Franmil Reyes hits an RBI-double during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
Once Bieber left the game, the Royals got two runners on in the seventh. But Nick Wittgren made an over-the-shoulder catch on a Whit Merrifield line drive to end the threat.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals C Salvador Perez remains on the 10-day injured list, but is building up his workload, according to manager Mike Matheny. No date was given for his return.
Kansas City Royals center fielder Whit Merrifield catches a fly ball for the out on Cleveland Indians' Tyler Naquin during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
ROSTER MOVES
Cleveland traded RHP Mike Clevinger, OF Greg Allen and a player to be named later to San Diego in exchange for a group of Padres prospects, all from the 60-man roster. The Indians received INF Gabriel Arias, LHP Joey Cantillo, C Austin Hedges, INF Owen Miller, 1B/OF Josh Naylor and RHP Cal Quantrill. Naylor, Hedges, and Quantrill will join the major league roster once they report. To make room on the 40-man roster, OF Domingo Santana has been designated for assignment.
The Royals placed RHP Ian Kennedy on the 10-day IL and recalled RHP Chance Adams. They also activated OF Nick Heath from the IL and optioned him to their alternate site.
Cleveland Indians relief pitcher James Karinchak throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
UP NEXT
The Indians will send RHP Zach Plesac (1-1, 1.29 ERA). Plesac will take the mound for the first time since Aug. 8 after getting optioned for violating team protocols. In three starts, Plesac owns a 1.29 ERA with 24 strikeouts and two walks in 21 innings.
The Royals will start Matt Harvey (0-1, 11.12 ERA). Harvey, who will be making his third start of the season, hasn’t been able to make it past the third inning so far. He hasn’t allowed a run in the first two innings of either start, but he’s allowed seven runs in 1 2/3 innings in the third innings.
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