A first inning home run from Royals third baseman Hunter Dozier was the difference in the game as the Indians drop Game 2 1-0 to the Royals.
All in all Adam Plutko had a good start. Unfortunately he gave up the only run of the game in the first inning and Indians lost 1-0. Plutko went seven innings allowing one runs on two hits while striking out four. It is really hard to ask for much more from Plutko. The offense on the other hand could have pulled their weight.
Cleveland only managed to get three hits in the game. This poses a bit of a problem when trying to score runs. Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Greg Allen were the only Indians players to get a hit. Allen’s hit was an extra-base hit, a double with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Unfortunately Tyler Naquin struck out to end the inning.
Tribe hitters did reach base via the walk three times, Carlos Santana walked twice and Roberto Perez walked once.
Cleveland’s best chance at scoring came in the bottom of the first. Lindor led off with a single to start the inning and Santana walked to get runners on first and second with one out in the inning. Kipnis and Ramirez both flied in consecutive at-bats as the Indians were unable to score.
Even though the Indians lost they did not lose a game in the standings. Minnesota lost to Oakland keeping the deficit at three. This is the best possible outcome for Cleveland considering they were not able to come out victorious in Game 2. Cleveland will look to win their second consecutive series and the sixth out of their past eight with a win Sunday.
