What a night! Indians win in ninth, trade for Rockies’ ace Jimenez

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Matt LaPorta’s three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning gave Cleveland its 12th home win its last at-bat Saturday, 5-2 over the Kansas City Royals.

That wasn’t the only drama. The Indians also sent four players, including two highly-regarded minor-league pitchers, to the Colorado Rockies for ace right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez.

LaPorta connected off Royals closer Joakim Soria (5-4) on a 1-1 pitch. It was Soria’s sixth blown save in 25 changes.

Soria hit Asdrubal Cabrera in the right foot with a pitch and Travis Hafner bounced into a forceout and was replaced by pinch runner Orlando Cabrera at first base. Carlos Santana then doubled down the third-base line to put runners on second and third.

Kosuke Fukudome, acquired on Thursday from the Chicago Cubs, hit a sacrifice fly to tie it at 2 before Lonnie Chisenhall walked and LaPorta delivered his 10th homer, a line shot just over the wall in left.

It was yet another tough-luck outing for Indians starter Justin Masterson, 3-6 since May 12. The right-hander fell has allowed two runs or fewer in 10 of his last 11 starts since June 8.

He didn’t get much offense, but rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis made a fine play to start a nifty double play in the sixth. Kipnis snagged Mike Moustakas’ sharp grounder with a dive toward first base. He spun and threw to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who came across the bag and threw to first to complete the inning-ending gem.

In San Diego, Jimenez pitched one inning before coming out.

Jimenez, who allowed four runs on two hits with four walks and two strikeouts, said he was surprised he even pitched in the game.

Jimenez went to the mound to warm up after Troy Tulowitzki had hit a two-run homer in the top of the first. At the same time, Esmil Rogers began throwing in the Rockies’ bullpen.

The Indians, meanwhile, scratched top pitching prospect, Drew Pomeranz, from his scheduled start at Double-A Akron.

Jimenez had a rough first inning and said it was tough to concentrate.

“When I got to the mound, I couldn’t even throw a strike because I didn’t have my mind on the game,” he said.

After the right-hander came off the mound, he was greeted with hugs, handshakes and pats on the back from his teammates and coaches in the dugout.

When Jimenez was asked about going to Cleveland, he said: “That’s the fun part about being traded to a team like that because right now they’re in a good position.”

An All-Star in 2010 when he threw a no-hitter and went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA, Jimenez started the season 1-7 and was on the disabled list during April because of a cuticle cut on his right thumb.

Entering Saturday, he won three of his last four starts and was 6-9 overall with a 4.20 ERA.

The Indians also sent right-handers Alex White and Joe Gardner, and first baseman Matt McBride, in addition to the left Pomeranz.

McBride played 51 games for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in 2006, batting .272 with four homers and 31 RBIs.

Late Saturday the Indians traded Orlando Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants for minor-league outfielder Thomas Neal.