Volquez falters, Royals lose to Indians 8-3

Right-hander Kris Medlen pitched six strong innings and Alex Rios homered to lead the Royals to a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

At the start of play Tuesday, the Indians were in fifth place in the wild card standings, 4 1/2 games out of the No.2 wild card spot.

“I’m glad I was able to keep the team in the game, don’t get me wrong, but we need wins, and that’s the bottom line”, Tomlin said following Cleveland’s 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Edinson Volquez (13-8) allowed four runs in five innings for Kansas City, which has lost eight of 10, while Gordon was 4 for 5.

1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on.

Medlen, an offseason signing coming off his second Tommy John surgery, is now 4-1 with a 3.92 ERA.

Carrasco ran into trouble after striking out Alcides Escobar and Gordon in the sixth. Then, first baseman Eric Hosmer walked to load the bases, but Carrasco induced an inning-ending groundout to shortstop from designated hitter Kendrys Morales. In the bottom of the seventh, Gomes singled to right field and Chris Johnson singled to left field to put two on with one out. Thats something we talk about, Millsy (bench coach Brad Mills) and I, especially, because of spring training.”.

Chisenhalls RBI double gave Cleveland a 2-1 lead in the third. Chisenhall would bring home Lindor on a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Kansas City pulled close in the top of the seventh with consecutive two-out RBI singles from Alex Gordon and Ben Zobrist. The Indians trail the Texas Rangers by four and a half games.

The fact they will likely fall short for the second year in a row is a painful reminder of the importance of April games, back when players rationalize being swept by the Tigers in the first week of the season by saying: “Its a long season; baseball is a marathon, not a sprint.”. Holland dropped it but still threw out the lead runner for the first out.

Royals: RHP Louis Coleman (right shoulder) is listed as day-to-day after the back of his shoulder tightened up Sunday at Baltimore.

Kluber, who has been nursing a right hamstring strain, threw a “light” bullpen session Monday at Progressive Field and will work out prior to tonight’s game.

Kluber hasn’t pitched since August. 29.

For their part, the Royals’ offense had very little luck against Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin. That raised their season ERA from 3.53 to 3.80….