Indians at Royals
The Kansas City Royals had some serious concerns about the back end of their bullpen when it was revealed that closer Joakim Soria needed season-ending Tommy Johnson surgery. Their worst fears were realized during Wednesday's 12-inning loss in Oakland, when designated replacement Jonathon Broxton turned in a disastrous performance – walking two batters and hitting two batters – to blow the save and the game. Kansas City will look to bounce back when it kicks off a 10-game homestand against the struggling Cleveland Indians on Friday night.
Cleveland has stumbled to a 1-4 start – all at home – and is the worst-hitting team in the majors with a .179 batting average. And while the season is only five games old, the Indians are showing clear signs of serious desperation with reports that the club signed veteran outfielder Johnny Damon to a one-year deal. The 38-year-old Damon, who spent last season with Tampa Bay, would likely platoon in left field with Shelley Duncan and see time at designated hitter. A .career .286 hitter, Damon is 277 hits away from 3,000.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSKC (Kansas City)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Derek Lowe (1-0, ERA 0.00) vs. Royals RH Luke Hochevar (1-0, ERA 2.84)
Lowe had a stellar return to the American League in his season debut, allowing two runs – both unearned – and five hits in seven innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. Lowe’s trademark sinkerball was working to perfection, producing 15 ground-ball outs. Lowe, who last pitched in the American League with the Boston Red Sox in 2004, has made 22 career appearances and nine starts against the Royals. He’s 3-5 with a 4.84 ERA lifetime against Kansas City.
Hochevar also had a strong first outing, blanking the Los Angeles Angeles for six innings before giving up a pair of runs in the seventh. The Royals are still waiting for Hochevar – the No. 1 overall pick in 2006 – to put it all together. He showed signs last season, going 6-3 after the All-Star break to register a career-high 11 wins. Hochevar has struggled against Cleveland with a 4-7 record and 5.21 ERA in 11 starts.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Hochevar is not quite ready for prime time. He’s 6-14 starting at night and 12-3 starting during the day since the beginning of the 2010 season.
2. Cleveland’s offense has been boom or bust. The Indians entered Thursday with the third-fewest hits (19) in the majors, but they were tied for fourth with eight homers.
3. Damon, who will be joining his fourth team in four seasons, has seen his batting average decline in each of the past four years.