Royals at Indians
The Cleveland Indians look to rebound after a rough day at the plate and continue their surge when they host the Kansas City Royals for the rubber match of a three-game series Sunday afternoon. The Indians had scored 43 runs during a season high-tying, six-game winning streak and won 12 of 14 contests before managing just three hits and striking out 13 times in Saturday’s 1-0 setback.
Greg Allen doubled and Cleveland added two singles in the loss, but the Indians remained atop the American League wild-card standings by percentage points and just three games behind first-place Minnesota in the AL Central. Rookie Zach Plesac looks for his first win in almost a month when he takes the ball in the series finale, while Kansas City will go with fellow right-hander Glenn Sparkman, who is coming off the best and longest outing of his major-league career. The Royals, who dropped the series opener 10-5, have won seven of nine games since the All-Star break after getting six strong innings from starting pitcher Jakob Junis followed by three one-hit frames from three relievers. Hunter Dozier provided all the offense Kansas City needed Saturday with a solo homer in the first inning and has hit safely in eight straight contests, going 12-for-31 with two blasts and eight RBIs during the stretch.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Glenn Sparkman (3-5, 4.54 ERA) vs. Indians RH Zach Plesac (3-3, 3.56)
Sparkman posted his first career shutout Tuesday when he limited the Chicago White Sox to five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts for an 11-0 victory. That performance followed a stretch in which the 27-year-old Texan allowed 17 runs on 25 hits and five walks in 14 2/3 innings across three outings. Francisco Lindor is 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles versus Sparkman, who gave up five runs over 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision at Cleveland on June 25.
Plesac held Detroit without a hit over the first three innings last Tuesday before a long rain delay ended his night in an eventual 8-0 victory for the Indians. The 24-year-old Ball State product had permitted three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks in his previous start at Kansas City without being involved in the decision. Cam Gallagher and Whit Merrifield had hits in that contest against Plesac, who is 2-1 with a 2.82 ERA in four home starts with Cleveland.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kansas City INF-OF Whit Merrifield has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games, going 28-for-75 during the run.
2. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez has four homers, 14 RBIs and 10 runs scored over his 12 games.
3. The Royals designated Wily Peralta for assignment Saturday and recalled fellow RHP Josh Staumont.