Tomlin unbeaten as Tribe downs Royals

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Starter and stopper. Josh Tomlin is handling both roles for the Indians.

The dependable right-hander stayed unbeaten and again helped Cleveland bounce back after a loss, leading the Indians over the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Sunday.

Tomlin (5-0) worked into the seventh inning and became the first Indians pitcher to win his first five outings since Justin Masterson in 2011. He’s also been the one to get the Indians back on track, improving to 12-0 with a 2.82 ERA following a Cleveland loss since the beginning of last season.

“That’s why he’s a leader on this team,” catcher Yan Gomes said. “Anytime he comes in to pitch, whether he’s scuffling a little bit or not, he’s a bulldog.”

Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli homered off Edinson Volquez (3-3) as the Indians took two of three from the defending World Series champions.

Eric Hosmer homered for the struggling Royals, just 3-9 in their last 12.

Kansas City closed to 5-4 in the seventh, but Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor threw out Cheslor Cuthbert at the plate and reliever Bryan Shaw got Alcides Escobar to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Cutberth, who was called up from the minors when third baseman Mike Moustakas went on the disabled list, should have reacted more quickly on Jarrod Dyson’s grounder.

“He just got a real late break on it,” Yost said. “It just wasn’t a good read.”

Shaw worked the eighth, and Cody Allen finished for his eighth save in eight chances.

The Indians have confidence in Tomlin, and he delivered another solid outing as Cleveland improved to 10-4 against the AL Central. Tomlin doesn’t have an overpowering fastball like most of Cleveland’s other starters, but there isn’t a pitcher the team trusts as much.

“You got to beat him, and sometimes you do, but he manages the game,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “You can say so many good things. He just loves competing. You can tell, he loves being out there.”

Not surprisingly, the unassuming Tomlin is taking his success in stride.

“I’m just doing my job,” he said. “It means I’m going out there and giving them a chance to win, not always the best statistical-wise maybe, but it’s a chance to win.”