KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 27: Jason Kipnis #22 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates his grand slam with Mike Freeman (back left to right), Oscar Mercado and Francisco Lindor in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
After the Indians defeated the Royals 8-3 yesterday the Indians looked to pick up where they left off. Starting the game for the Royals was Glenn Sparkman who on the year is 3-6 with and era of 4.67. For the Indians Mike Clevinger who is 4-2 with an era of 3.61.
The Indians started off quickly in the top of the first inning, as the indians 1,2,3 and 4 hitters all had a hit including a Grand Slam Home Run by the nights Clean up hitter Jason Kipnis. This was the teams first of the season and gave the the Indians the lead of 4-0, a shutout inning by Clevenger kept that the score 4-0 after the first inning.
In the top of the second inning the nights Designated hitter Francisco Lindor also had a homerun to add to the lead. After another shutout inning by Mike Clevenger the Indians lead 5-0.
Both pitchers were in sync in the 3rd as both would have less then 15 pitches were able to keep the score 5-0.
The 4th inning was quite, keeping the score 5-0
The action picks back up in the top of the 5th inning when Jose Ramirez hit a Homerun to continue his hot streak and build the Indians lead, 8-0.
In the bottom of the Fifth the Royals began to build some momentum. With 2 outs and a runners in Scoring Position, a hit to center field saw the Royals get their first RBI but a great play by Greg Allen that resulted in an out made sure that was the only RBI of the inning. Making the score 8-1.
In the top of the 6th inning the Indians batters continued to swing and make contact, Mercado continued to have a great game has be had an RBI double that scored a run making the score 9-1. But even more impressively Mercado on the night to this point was 4-4.
Clevenger continued to have a great game as he had yet another shutout inning to keep the score 9-1 in the 7th and 8th innings.
Both teams were quite in the 8th and the score remained 9-1.
In the top of the 9th Indians hitters went 1,2,3 as the Royals Bullpen picked up the slack for Sparkman.
Heading into the bottom of the 9th the Indians pitcher Tyler Olsen came into the game gets the save for the Indians. With this win the Indians move to 63-42 and move one game back from the first place Twins as the Twins fall to The White Sox 5-1.
First pitch for the final game of the weekend series is Sunday 7-28-19 at 2:15.