Sizemore helps Indians survive
CLEVELAND (AP) — Grady Sizemore hit a three-run homer and the Cleveland Indians turned double plays in six straight innings in an 8-7 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
Sizemore connected in Cleveland’s four-run fourth inning as the Indians built a 6-1 lead, but it was the six double play balls that saved the day for the Tribe.
Aaron Laffey (1-0) gave up a run in the first — the only run he allowed in seven innings — and was helped by double-play grounders in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh. Coco Crisp bounced into an inning-ending double play in the seventh after the Royals loaded the bases.
Kansas City rallied for four runs in the eighth, but that threat ended when Jensen Lewis got Miguel Olivo to bounce into a double play with the tying run on first base.
The six double plays tied a club record for the Indians and set a team mark for the Royals.
Kerry Wood allowed David DeJesus’ two-run homer in the ninth before finishing for his second save.
Laffey, who recorded his first win since July 10, began the season at Triple-A Columbus, but was called up when Scott Lewis went on the disabled list with a sore left elbow. The left-hander started against the Royals last Wednesday, allowing two runs in 51‚Ñ3 innings.
Laffey pitched his way out of the Indians’ rotation last season and was sent to the minors on July 26, where he spent the rest of the season. He didn’t pitch in September because of a sore elbow and was beaten out by Lewis for a spot in the rotation in spring training.
The game was played in front of 11,408 fans, the smallest crowd in the history of Progressive Field.
Victor Martinez hit a two-run homer in the eighth for Cleveland.
Sidney Ponson (0-2) allowed six runs in 31‚Ñ3 innings and fell to 0-8 in 15 career appearances against Cleveland.
One-out singles by Ben Francisco and Asdrubal Cabrera started Cleveland’s fourth-inning rally. Sizemore hit a 1-0 pitch to right for his fifth homer. .