Guyer's double in the ninth wins it for Indians
CLEVELAND -- Brandon Guyer's pinch-hit double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Cleveland Indians a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals Tuesday night at Progressive Field.
Andrew Miller (9-1) pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to get the win. Brian Flynn (1-2) took the loss.
The win reduced the Indians' magic number for winning the AL Central Division to six games.
With the score tied 1-1, Jose Ramirez led off the bottom of the ninth by drawing a walk from reliever Flynn. Coco Crisp laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt. The ball rolled up the first base line and was fielded, and bobbled, by Flynn for an error, putting runners at first and second with no outs.
After Abraham Almonte bunted into a fielder's choice, with Ramirez out at third, Rajai Davis was announced as the pinch hitter for Tyler Naquin, and Joakim Soria relieved Flynn.
Davis hit a one-hopper back to the mound that ricocheted off Soria's leg to first baseman Eric Hosmer, who stepped on first base for the second out. The runners moved to second and third.
Guyer, pinch hitting for Roberto Perez, sliced a long fly ball down the right field line. Royals right fielder Paulo Orlando made a sliding attempt at a catch in the right field corner, but the ball bounced in safely, inches into fair territory, scoring Crisp with the winning run.
Josh Tomlin started for the Indians, and his importance in the rotation has grown since Carlos Carrasco suffered a season-ending broken hand in a start against Detroit last week. Tomlin now figures to be the No.3 man in the Indians' postseason rotation.
He was removed from the rotation following a horrible month of August. In six August starts, Tomlin went 0-5 with an 11.48 ERA.
Tuesday was his second start since returning, and the downtime seems to have helped. Tomlin pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits, with three strikeouts and no walks. In two starts since returning to the rotation he is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA.
Like Tomlin, Royals starter Edinson Volquez was not involved in the decision. Both starters had nearly identical pitching lines. Volquez also pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks.
Tomlin sailed through the first five innings, holding the Royals scoreless on one hit through four innings. The only hit was a leadoff single by Kendrys Morales in the fourth inning. However, Morales' hit bounced off the center field wall. It was fielded by Naquin who made a perfect throw to second baseman Jason Kipnis. Kipnis made a diving tag of Morales for the out.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a solo home run by Carlos Santana over the right field wall. Its Santana's 33rd homer of the season.
The Royals tied it in the fifth inning. With one out, Salvador Perez doubled and scored on a single by Alex Gordon.
NOTES: Although Indians RHP Danny Salazar has likely been shut down for the rest of the regular season with a strained right forearm, pitching coach Mickey Callaway said there's "a small chance" Salazar could pitch out of the bullpen at some point during the postseason. ... The Indians have selected the contract of RHP Adam Plutko from Triple-A Columbus. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Indians designated LHP T.J. House for assignment. ... Royals OF Terrance Gore has more career stolen bases (16) than plate appearances (nine). ... Entering Tuesday's game, third-place Kansas City actually had a better Central Division record than first-place Cleveland. Kansas City was 42-22 (.656) and Cleveland 41-22 (.651) against Central Division representatives.