Carrasco’s early mistakes propel Royals to victory

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

All the mistakes that Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco made came in the first few innings.

They were all the mistakes the Kansas City Royals needed.

Whit Merrifield hit his first career homer, Edinson Volquez tossed seven shutout innings of two-hit ball and the Royals beat Cleveland 2-1 on Monday night to end a five-game skid against their division rival.

Carrasco (2-2) gave up both Kansas City runs and 10 hits over six innings, though the damage could have been worse. He left two aboard in the each of the first three innings.

“He bobbed and weaved,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

“He had a lot of traffic early and for the most part he got out of it. As he got into the third and fourth innings, he started pitching more effectively. He hung a breaking ball for the home run, but he was much better. Giving up two runs in six innings, most nights we’ll take that.”

Alcides Escobar drove in a run for the Royals, who have won three in a row after an eight-game losing streak. They also won their seventh consecutive game at Kauffman Stadium.

Volquez (6-6) walked the bases loaded in the first inning before settling down, allowing only a double to Jason Kipnis and a single to Lonnie Chisenhall.

Volquez also hit a batter with a pitch and worked around an error, but ultimately kept the Indians from scoring.

“He had a great game,” Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “He had a plan and he executed.”

Kelvin Herrera allowed a leadoff homer to Kipnis in the eighth but navigated the rest of the inning. Wade Davis pitched around a leadoff single in the ninth for his 18th save.

Merrifield, who made his big league debut last month, tripled to start the game and scored when Escobar followed with a single. Then, the 27-year-old rookie lived up to his “Two-hit Whit” moniker by driving an 0-2 pitch over the left-field wall with two outs in the fourth.

He was greeted at the dugout by Royals catcher Salvador Perez, who playfully doffed his helmet.

“This kid is not a flash in the pan. His swing works here,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He just really gives you good at-bats.”

Good fielding, too. Merrifield has played third base and in the outfield, but has been at his best at second base. One of his three double plays Monday night ended the eighth and preserved a 2-1 lead.

“I wasn’t planning on coming here and going back,” said Merrifield, who has gradually become much more than just a super-utility player. “You want to come here and play like you’re capable of playing.”

The Indians had plenty of opportunities, even after Chisenhall grounded out to leave the bases full in the first inning. Kipnis was left standing on second in the third, and the Indians left runners at the corners in the fourth when Rajai Davis grounded out to end the inning.

Yan Gomes squandered another chance by grounding into an inning-ending double play in the sixth, and Jose Ramirez did likewise when he grounded to Merrifield in the eighth.

“We just weren’t able to cash in,” Francona said.