Kansas City's march toward .500 took a step in the right direction on Wednesday, as the Royals topped the Cleveland Indians in Wednesday's rubber match, winning 6-3.
Despite lasting just five innings, Bruce Chen picked up his fourth win of the season, improving his record to 4-5. Chen allowed nine baserunners in five innings, yielding seven hits and walking two, but only allowed three runs. Chen also struck out three in the contest.
Kansas City's offense touched up Cleveland started Jeanmar Gomez. Gomez, like Chen, lasted just five innings, but Gomez surrendered five runs on 10 hits and a walk.
Gomez was staked to a 3-0 lead after the first two innings, but KC started chipping away immediately. Mike Moustakas doubled, plating Johnny Giavotella with the Royals' first run. Jeff Francoeur continued his hot streak, singling home Moustakas, cutting Cleveland's lead down to 3-2.
Kansas City took the lead in the fourth inning. Alex Gordon's double scored Alcides Escobar to knot the game at three, and Giavotella then knocked him in with a single, putting Kansas City up 4-3.
Brayan Pena's fifth inning single and Billy Butler's RBI groundout accounted for Kansas City's other two runs.
The Royals will return home this weekend after an off-day on Thursday, as they open up a series with the Oakland A's starting on Friday night.
For more on the Royals, be sure to head over to Royals Review and join the discussion.