By Mike Brandyberry
Asdrubal Cabrera hit a three run home run in the bottom of the eighth to help lead the Indians past the Kansas City Royals 8-7. Cabrera had help from new lineup addition, Jim Thome, who also hit his first home run in his Cleveland homecoming.
Fausto Carmona demonstated both sides of his split personality on the mound Saturday evening, motoring through the first three innings with ease. However, in the fourth inning, he gave up three runs, followed by another in the fourth and setting the stage in the seventh before giving way to Tony Sipp. Carmona allowed six runs, five earned on eight hits in six and one-third innings.
Jim Thome gave the 35,370 fans in attendance what they came for in the sixth inning when he hit a solo home run to left field. Thome’s 13th home run of the season was his 335th of his Cleveland Indian career. Fans have continued to shower Thome with standing ovations before every at bat. After his home run the crowd did not stop until Thome tipped his cap for the curtain call.
Sipp relieved Carmona in the seventh with two on and one out with Alex Gordon at the plate. Gordon promptly hit a three run home run to right field and give the Royals a 7-4 lead. Cabrera would double home Kosuke Fukudome in the seventh to cut the deficit to 7-5.
With two outs in the eighth, pinch hitter Lonnie Chisenhall singled to left, then Fukudome walked, setting the stage for Cabrera who hit the ball deep into the right field seats. The home run was his 21st of the season and gave the Indians a 8-7 lead. Chris Perez worked the bottom of the ninth, despite Ezequiel Carrera misplaying a ball in center field, and the Indians had their victory.
The win keeps the Tribe six and a half games behind the Tigers, who continue to stay hot. The Indians have to find a way to win every day, hoping to cut the deficit in the standings to four or four and a half games before Detroit arrives in Progressive Field on Labor Day. The injury bug may have bit Shin-Soo Choo again Saturday, when he had to leave the game in the fifth inning with soreness in his side.
Justin Masterson (10-7, 2.83) will match up with crafty left hander, Bruce Chen (9-5, 4.12) on Sunday afternoon as the Indians look for the series sweep for the weekend.
Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images
