Royals starter Jeff Francis gave up five runs this evening to the Cleveland Indians in what proved to be something the Royals offense could not overcome as they fell to the Indians for the second straight evening, this time by a 7-2 final. With the loss Kansas City is now on a streak of five consecutive losses and sits at 12-12 on the season as Cleveland improved to an American League best 15-8, riding a current nine game winning streak at their home ballpark.
Francis certainly didn't have his best stuff tonight, giving up six runs (five earned) on ten hits in just three innings of work. The big blow was a bases loaded double in the first by Orlando Cabrera that cleared the bases for the Tribe. Francis now sits at 0-3 with a 5.03 ERA.
Josh Tomlin was able to take the early lead and allow just two Royals runs on five hits as he improved to 4-0 on the season. The two Royals runs came on two solo home runs by Jeff Francoeur and Mike Aviles in the second inning. Francoeur has a team leading five on the season, while Aviles hit his fourth. Alex Gordon was 0-for-3 at the plate, with a walk, and ended his personal best 19-game hitting streak.
For all the trouble the Royals ran into during the first, the bullpen was pretty solid led by Nathan Adcock who pitched three innings allowing just one run on one hit. Jeremy Jeffress looked to have the good stuff this evening, pitching one inning of relief and striking out two batters. Joakim Soria, who many Kansas City fans have been worried about early on, pitched an inning tonight giving up just a walk on his stat line.
Kyle Davis (1-2 6.23 ERA) will be sent out to end the streak tomorrow as he faces off against Indians starter Fausto Carmona (1-3 5.76 ERA). Kansas City will look to avoid falling below .500 for the first time since losing on Opening Day.