Indians sloppy, but still win

By Paul Hoynes

The Cleveland Plain Dealer

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Shin-Soo Choo hit a tiebreaking RBI single in Cleveland’s five-run eighth inning and the Indians rallied to beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Thursday night.

Asdrubal Cabrera had two hits and drove in two runs for the Indians, who committed a season-high five errors and had a runner thrown out at every base. Matt LaPorta and Jayson Nix also had two hits apiece.

Rafael Perez (4-0), the fourth of five Indians pitchers, pitched 11/3 scoreless innings and Chris Perez got four outs for his 15th save in 19 opportunities.

Indians manager Manny Acta held a team meeting before Thursday’s game. The Indians had lost nine of their past 12 games so it made sense.

“I was taking the temperature of the ballclub,” Acta said. “I wanted to let the kids know we have a month and a half to play and we’re going through a rough stretch right now.

“Yes, we’re young, but I have the right to tell them I’m not happy with the way we have played over the last 12 games. We can’t sit here and say we’re a better ballclub without the guys who have left — Carlos Santana, Austin Kearns, Jhonny Peralta, Jake Westbrook and Kerry Wood. But still we have to get out there and play and compete.

“I told them to take advantage of this opportunity because we’re not going to be rebuilding forever.”

Santana, the Indians’ cleanup hitter, is out for the season following surgery on his left knee. Kearns, Peralta, Westbrook and Wood were traded last month.

“The whole meeting was about making progress,” Acta said. “For us that’s the challenge. Once the season is over only eight teams go to the playoffs, 22 will go home. If we’re going home, we want to go home being better as a team and as individuals.”

Said catcher Chris Gimenez: “The meeting wasn’t about effort. Manny knows we’re giving effort. It’s just that sometimes the results aren’t what we strive for. The fact that we’re young isn’t an excuse.”

Today is the deadline for the Indians to acquire a player from the Yankees to complete the Kearns deal. Look for it to be a minor-league pitcher.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.