Infante drives in 7 runs as Royals down Indians 8-4

Infante first blasted a three-run home run off Indians ace Corey Kluber to the Home Run Porch in left field in the second inning that initially put the Royals (86-60) up 3-0. After Kluber left the game, the Tribe’s bullpen was charged with five runs.

“We listened to a lot of people, from Trem (Triple-A Columbus manager Chris Tremie) to (minor-league roving infield instructor) John McDonald, ” Francona said before the September 17 game between the Indians and Kansas City at Progressive Field. He established a new career-high for himself with seven RBIs. “One was Kluber and one was [Jeff] Manship and he killed us”.

Closer Hector Rondon (6-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win for the Cubs (84-61), who drew within three games of the Pirates (87-58) for the first wild card.

Yost didn’t hold back on his criticism of Duffy following his latest loss, and the left-hander understood why. “He was competing intensely. To give him some run support there early was nice”. If we were winning, there probably wouldn’t be the opportunity for me again to start.

Added Ventura, “I had good stuff. I didn’t feel like I was battling or anything out there”. “He could have played Thursday, too”.

Butler’s three-run homer off David Robertson lifted the Oakland Athletics over the Chicago White Sox 4-2 Thursday.

Aside from Moustakas’ home run, the Royals threatened to score in only one inning against Salazar. It’s why you see some guys fail to even attempt to move a runner over; nobody will pay you for hitting a 4-3 groundball and getting a runner from second to third base – they’ll pay you for driving in that run.

“It shocked the hell out of me”, Francona said with a laugh Wednesday.

“I think he’s been a little frustrated at times at the plate”, Francona said of Urshela, who was hitting just.220 with six homers and 20 RBIs in 77 games through Tuesday.

Sizzling Rios: Alex Rios continued to scorch the ball as he extended his hitting streak to eight games.

AL Central-leading Kansas City is going through its roughest patch this season with nine losses in 12 games.

“I know I don’t play every day right now”, Infante said. Shin-Soo Choo, who has been rejuvenated in the second half, went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Kluber escaped further harm in the frame, but the Royals had a swift 3-0 advantage. Hes won back-to-back starts for the first time after defeating Detroit in his previous outing. “When I saw their hands go up, I realized it had gone over the fence”. I tried to state my case, but ultimately, he makes the call.

Encarnacion led off the fourth with his 33rd homer, off Matt Wisler (5-8) and into the fifth row of the seats in left field.

“That’s the way the game goes”. And I like the fact that hes confident enough to swing there because thats the situation were looking for.”.