The Kansas City Royals found themselves down early to the Cleveland Indians and were unable to mount a comeback, eventually losing 8-5 Friday night. Royals starting pitcher Will Smith earned his ninth loss of the season, as he allowed 6 runs on 9 hits in just over three innings of work.
Smith simply had no answer for the consistent barrage of Cleveland hits, allowing three runs in the 2nd, one in the 3rd, and two more in the 4th before being pulled. Royals reliever Everett Teaford allowed two more runs in the 5th. After the 5th the Royals were able to hold the Indians scoreless, but the damage had been done.
Down 8-1, the Royals made an attempt at a comeback, starting with first baseman Billy Butler's 2-run homer in the 6th. Catcher Salvador Perez drove in 2 additional runs in the 8th, but the comeback was too little too late, as Cleveland's Chris Perez picked up his 39th save of the year.
Indians starting pitcher David Huff got the win, his third of the season.