AMERICAN LEAGUE Resilient Indians win again, 6-1, over KC

Cleveland bounced back from two losses with its second win in a row.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Indians third baseman Casey Blake wonders if losing 94 games last season might have been good for a Cleveland franchise used to success.
The Indians, who had seven straight winning seasons before falling on hard times in 2002 and 2003, have won two in a row after opening the season with disheartening extra-inning losses in Minnesota.
Jeff D'Amico pitched seven strong innings, and Blake homered and drove in two runs to lead a 6-1 victory over Kansas City on Thursday.
"The way we came back after two tough losses is encouraging," Blake said. "Going through that tough time last year helped everybody, and everybody was prepared for the season. We've got some guys who are off to good starts and last year we didn't have anybody get off to a good start."
Most of the players didn't even get to sleep before about 2:30 a.m. Thursday when their flight got in from Minneapolis.
"We've got a lot of character on this club," said manager Eric Wedge. "These guys are going to show up and play. They work hard. They go about their business the right way."
Most losses since 1991
The Indians' 94 losses last year were the most since losing 105 in 1991.
"They went through so much last year," Wedge said. "They persevered and grinded it out and it's going to pay off for us this year."
D'Amico gave up four hits and one run and looked nothing like the pitcher who was 9-16 with Pittsburgh last year to lead the National League in losses.
"It was good to go out there and throw a quality game and look like I belong here," he said.
D'Amico, who went to training camp as a non-roster invitee battling four other pitchers for the last two spots on the staff, was in command throughout his efficient 88-pitch outing. It was his first AL win since Sept. 17, 1997, when he beat Baltimore for Milwaukee.
"I had to make the team. But to come in here where it counts and get it going, yeah, it's definitely a little more stressful than any ordinary start. I am pleased with the way it went."
Balks
Jeremy Affeldt (0-1) gave up six runs and nine hits in 52/3 innings and was called for two balks, on a day that got off to a bad start.
"Coming to the park I got the first speeding ticket of my life," he said.
"You name it. It happened to me today. First speeding ticket in my life, two balks, no strikeouts, giving up five runs with two outs."
The left-hander, 3-0 in seven strong spring training starts, balked Coco Crisp home with two outs in the fourth following a triple. After Jody Gerut walked with two outs in the first, he advanced on Affeldt's balk and scored on Blake's single.
Cleveland took a 4-0 lead with three runs in the second, which included consecutive RBI doubles by Ronnie Belliard and Omar Vizquel. Only a fine running catch by Aaron Guiel on a drive to left by Gerut saved a third straight extra-base RBI hit.
Mike Sweeney singled leading off the first and scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Stairs. Blake homered in the fifth.