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Royals’ bats slowed by Tribe rookie in opener
- Updated: October 1, 2016
KANSAS CITY — In a game with postseason implications, and ace Corey Kluber temporarily out of the rotation, the Indians handed the ball to a rookie. Lefty Ryan Merritt was up for the challenge, turning in a strong effort that fueled a 7-2 win over the Royals on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Cleveland still trails Boston, a 5-3 winner over Toronto on Friday, for the No. 2 seed in the American League playoffs and home-field advantage in the Division Series.
Merritt logged five stellar innings against the reigning World Series champs in his first Major League start. He was backed by big offensive nights for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana, and made a winner thanks to a shutdown bullpen.
Eric Hosmer contributed an RBI single off Merritt in the first inning, and righty Yordano Ventura logged six frames, but Kansas City was overmatched against the new AL Central champions.
Santana sparked a …
