Clevinger carries Tribe over Royals

Associated Press

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Mike Clevinger struck out 10, Francisco Lindor hit another leadoff homer and the Cleveland Indians moved closer to their third straight AL Central title with a 9-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

The Indians ended a three-game losing streak and reduced their magic number for clinching another division title to 11.

Not only did the Royals have their season-high winning streak stopped at six, but they lost starting pitcher Danny Duffy and rookie right fielder Brett Phillips to injuries.

Following the game, Duffy said his season is over. He was on the disabled list from Aug. 13-23 with shoulder issues.

“What we’ve been doing for a while is telling me to knock it off,” Duffy said. “I tried to kind of go out there and grind it out. It’s unfortunate the way it played out, but it’s not from lack of trying.”

Staked to a 6-0 lead after two innings, Clevinger (11-7) allowed just three hits in six innings and remained unbeaten in his last seven starts. The right-hander, who could have a big role for the Indians in October, had a little more velocity on his fastball and struck out six of nine in one dominant stretch.

Lindor connected for his 31st homer in the first against Duffy (8-12), who left moments later with a sore left shoulder.

Yandy Diaz hit his first major league homer and Jason Kipnis added two RBIs for Cleveland.

After the Indians lost Monday night, Lindor talked about the Indians being flat and needing a spark.

The All-Star shortstop provided an early one with his sixth leadoff homer — one shy of the club record set by Grady Sizemore in 2008 — as the Indians jumped to a 3-0 lead on Duffy.

Diaz picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice and Kipnis, who is moving from second base to center field, singled home a run in the inning before Duffy was removed after 26 pitches. The left-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012.

The Indians added three runs in the second off Burch Smith on Jose Ramirez’s double, Edwin Encarnacion’s sacrifice fly and Brandon Guyer’s RBI single.

MOVING TIME

Kipnis isn’t thrilled about having to change positions, but he’s willing to do it as long as Josh Donaldson is healthy.

The Indians acquired Donaldson — the 2015 AL MVP — in a trade with Toronto, and once activated from the disabled list, he’ll take over at third with Ramirez going to second and Kipnis heading to the outfield.

“Does it take a little wind out of my sails?” he said. “A little bit. But not enough to get me to stop working, stop competing.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: LHP Andrew Miller is expected to throw a bullpen session on Thursday in Toronto as he recovers from shoulder soreness that landed him on the disabled list.

UP NEXT

Corey Kluber tries to become the majors’ first 18-game winner as the Indians conclude their three-game series with the Royals, who will start Brad Keller.