Santana homers twice as Indians dump Royals

Kansas City, MO, United States (4E Sports) – Carlos Santana homered twice and had a career-high five RBIs as the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals, 15-4, Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.

Santana led the Indians’ 15-run barrage in the last four frames with a two-run shot in the sixth inning and a three-run homer in the ninth to help Cleveland avoid a sweep and snap a seven-game losing streak to the Royals.

The 15 runs are a season high for the Indians, eclipsing the previous high of 13 runs, accomplished on April 15 at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals. It was the first time the Tribe plated eight runs or more since Aug. 5, when they fell in extra innings to Detroit.

The loss prevented the Royals from posting a five-game winning streak for the first time this season and officially ended their hunt for a playoff spot.

In his big league debut, Royals starter Jake Odorizzi (0-1) limited the Indians to just two hits and a walk but gave up three runs in the sixth, including Santana’s two-run shot.

The Indians continued their hot hitting in the seventh, scoring five runs to take an 8-1 lead.

The Royals answered with three runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Tony Abreu drove in one with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh. Billy Butler doubled home a run in the eighth before scoring on a Francoeur RBI single.

The Indians, however, retaliated with seven runs in the top of the ninth, capped by a three-run shot by Santana, en route to victory.

Indians starter David Huff (2-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings, surrendering just one earned run on three hits with one strikeout. His only blemish was a solo shot by Adam Moore in the third inning.

Odorizzi earned the loss after allowing three earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

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