Cabrera slam helps Indians unleash 10-run fifth in rout of Royals

Cleveland, OH, United States (4E Sports) – The Cleveland Indians unleashed a telling 10-run fifth inning capped by a grand slam by Asdrubal Cabrera to rout the Kansas City Royals, 15-3, Sunday at Progressive Field.

The Indians’ fifth victory in last seven games gave them a second straight series win for the first time since beating the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels from June 28 to July 4.

Rookie starter Zach McAllister (6-8) picked up the win after holding the Royals to three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He blanked Kansas City for five innings before surrendering a two-run homer to Alex Gordon in the sixth and later an RBI single to Tony Abreu in the seventh.

Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar (8-16) limited the Indians to one RBI single by Lou Marson through the first four frames before unraveling in the fifth when the Indians erupted for a 10-run rally.

Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Kipnis ignited the rally with back-to-back doubles followed by a bunt single by Cabrera and an RBI double by Jack Hannahan doubled home a run two batters later.

Then, Casey Kotchman drove in a run with a fielder’s choice groundout while Jason Donald was hit by pitch with the bases loaded. After Choo pushed Cleveland to a 7-0 lead with a two-run single, Hochevar bowed out of the ballgame with 4 2/3 innings logged.

Reliever Everett Teaford then walked Kipnis to load the bases and set the stage for Cabrera, who drilled a 1-1 pitch to left for a grand slam and his 16th homer of the season.

The 10-run inning was Cleveland’s first double-digit showing in one frame since May 16, 2011, also against Kansas City.

The Indians’ last inning with at least 10 runs scored at home was, again, against the Royals on Aug. 13, 2006. The Tribe has had eight games with 10 or more runs this season, four of those coming against Kansas City.

Matt LaPorta contributed a two-run double in the seventh and Cord Phelps added an RBI single in a two-run eighth for the Indians.

---

---