Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals Match Player Stats On Jun 04, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jun 4, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jason Kipnis homered and drove in two runs and six Cleveland pitchers combined on an 8-0 shutout of the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Kipnis homered in the sixth, had a sacrifice fly in the fourth and walked and scored in a four-run second inning.

After a nearly two-hour rain delay in the bottom of the second, Indians starter Trevor Bauer did not return after giving up two hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings.

Relievers Dan Otero, Zach McAllister, Bryan Shaw, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen held the Royals scoreless for 7 1/3 innings. Otero (1-0) picked up the victory, allowing one hit in 2 1/3 innings. His previous win was Sept. 22, also against Kansas City.

The Indians' bullpen ERA of 2.19 is the best in the majors.

On the flip side, the Royals' bullpen allowed four runs in seven innings. Travis Wood, who had not pitched since May 28, gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings, his ERA climbing to 9.31.

On a 3-1 pitch, Chris Young surrendered Kipnis' homer, his sixth home run allowed in 27 1/3 innings. The run off Seth Maness was unearned after a Whit Merrifield throwing error in the fifth.

Merrifield singled three times to raise his average to.307 and extend his hitting streak to a major league-best 19 games.

Royals left-hander Eric Skoglund (0-1), who allowed two hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings on Tuesday to beat Detroit 1-0 in his major league debut, was roughed up in his second start. Skoglund gave up four runs on four hits and two walks in two innings.

Roberto Perez and Daniel Robertson each laced two-run doubles in the second. Skoglund walked Austin Jackson and Kipnis in the inning and both scored.

NOTES: OF Michael Brantley was not in the Indians' lineup. Manager Terry Francona said he wanted to give him a day off to keep him healthy and fresh. ... Royals starter LHP Eric Skoglund and C Drew Butera went to UCF (Central Florida), but not at the same time. ... The Indians have outscored opponents by 26 runs this season. ... The Royals are 5-4 vs. the Tribe this season. ... Cleveland is 13-14 against AL Central Division opponents. Kansas City dropped to 9-18 within the division. ... Astros RHP Mike Fiers and Royals RHP Ian Kennedy are the Monday probables.