Indians at Royals
After a frustrating string of close losses, the Kansas City Royals slugged their way to an easy victory Friday night. The Royals will try to notch consecutive wins for the first time since opening 2-0 when they continue a three-game series against the visiting Cleveland Indians on Saturday.
Kansas City had lost 10 in a row -- nine by three runs or fewer -- before recording 13 hits in Friday's 8-1 victory, with left fielder Aaron Gordon clubbing a home run and two doubles while raising his average to .390. Second baseman Whit Merrifield saw his franchise-record 31-game hitting streak come to an end Thursday against Seattle but he got right back on track with a 3-for-5 effort Friday. The Indians have lost two of their last three after winning five in a row and they stranded 10 runners in the series-opening loss. Cleveland will give the ball to newcomer Jefry Rodriguez on Saturday opposite veteran right-hander Homer Bailey for the Royals.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Jefry Rodriguez (2018: 3-3, 5.71 ERA) vs. Royals RH Homer Bailey (0-1, 9.00)
Rodriguez was acquired from Washington in November in the trade that sent catcher Yan Gomes to the Nationals. He made eight starts as a rookie with Washington last year and went 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in that role. The 25-year-old from the Dominican Republic, who has never faced the Royals, gave up three runs in 5 2/3 innings in one start for Triple-A Columbus last weekend.
Bailey had a solid team debut on April 3 but took a step back Monday against the red-hot Seattle Mariners, giving up seven runs and eight hits -- three home runs -- in five innings. He did manage seven strikeouts and has 15 through 10 innings this season. The former first-round pick has a 5.79 ERA in nine career starts versus Cleveland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Gordon is 10-for-17 with six extra-base hits during a four-game hitting streak.
2. Indians 1B Carlos Santana has seven walks over his last three games.
3. Kansas City SS Adalberto Mondesi notched his MLB-leading fourth triple Friday.