(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO--An eighth inning Kansas City Royals RBI singles by Maikel Franco and Bubba Starling proved against James Karinchak proved to be the difference Monday Night as the Royals take Game 1 of this series over the Cleveland Indians 2-1.
For the Indians, the story as it has been all season is lack of run support after a great pitching effort. Out of 35 games played, the Tribe has scored two runs or less in 17 games this season. Also after Friday's 14 run outing, the Tribe has only scored five runs total over the last three games.
Indians #1 starter Shane Bieber is still operating at another level.
Franmil Reyes gave the Indians a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning.
However it was not enough as the Royals took advantage of Karinchak (0-2) who struggled to find the strike zone. Franco scored first off Karinchak, then Starling scored the go-ahead RBI off Aaron Civale (Karinchak was responsible for the run).
Indians will start RHP Zach Plesac (1-1, 1.29) for the first time since his Saturday afternoon Chicago start on August 8th. He replaces Mike Clevinger in the starting pitching rotation as Clevinger was traded to the San Diego Padres Monday morning.
Royals will start former Mets star Matt Harvey (0-1, 11.12). Harvey has yet to pitch beyond the third inning in 2020.
Coverage begins at 7:05pm with the Ken Ganley Kia Tribe Insider with Carmen Angelo. First pitch at 8:05pm follow by Xtra Innings with Greg Brinda right here on Newsradio WTAM 1100AM/106.9FM and on your smart device at iHeartRadio.