(Sports Network) - The second portion of a three-game series from Progressive Field resumes tonight, when Cleveland and Kansas City square off for the 10th time this season.
Kansas City will send ace Zack Greinke to the mound today for his 27th start of the season, and while his 8-11 record is disappointing, Greinke's 3.83 ERA in the loaded American League is respectable. The righty didn't figure in the decision of Sunday's game against the White Sox, but he certainly pitched well enough to win, allowing only two runs over eight innings with nine strikeouts. Greinke did throw a season-high 120 pitches in that contest.
There is reason to be confident today, as Greinke is 2-0 this season against Cleveland. The standout hurler is 8-8 lifetime versus the Tribe.
Jeanmar Gomez, a 22-year-old rookie, will take the mound for Cleveland today. Although Gomez's record shows that he has enjoyed success through his first six starts (3-2, 3.62 ERA), the young righty did endure his first poor outing on Sunday in Detroit. The Tigers battered him for seven earned runs on 11 hits in only three innings, forcing him to the showers quite early. It will obviously be interesting to see how the impressive rookie responds to the adversity this evening.
Gomez is 0-1 against Kansas City this season with a 3.00 ERA.
Chris Gimenez and Jayson Nix both clubbed a three-run homer and knocked in four runs total on Friday, as the Indians pounded Kansas City, 15-4, in the opener of this set.
Matt LaPorta belted a three-run homer to fuel a six-run second inning for the Indians, while rookie Josh Tomlin (2-3) gave up three runs on eight hits and four walks in five innings to pick up the win.
"Needless to say, we swung the bats very well today. The long ball was huge for us," said Cleveland manager Manny Acta.
Wilson Betemit hit a solo home run as part of a three-run fourth by Kansas City. Bryan Bullington (1-3) allowed seven runs on nine hits and three walks over four full frames to take the loss.
"When (the starting pitching) is not good, you're going to be in trouble," said Royals manager Ned Yost.
The Indians had scored seven runs over their previous six games and nearly matched that output in the second.
Kansas City finished 4-for-15 with runners in scoring position and stranded a season-high 16 men on a base.
The Royals have won five of nine meetings with the Tribe this season and swept a two-game set in Cleveland back in late May.