Salazar’s 9 K’s help Indians cruise past Royals

CLEVELAND — Danny Salazar entered this season as a potential breakout candidate for the Indians. On Friday night, the hard-throwing right-hander continued his torrid start to the season, firing 7 2/3 shutout innings in a 7-1 win over the Royals at Progressive Field.

Backed by a career night for third baseman Jose Ramirez, who logged a personal-best five RBIs in a three-hit showing, Salazar struck out nine and scattered four hits. With his performance, Salazar notched his third win of the year and lowered his ERA to 1.91 through six outings.

On the other side of the equation, Royals righty Yordano Ventura labored for his second consecutive outing. In four innings, Ventura allowed five runs on nine hits. Mike Napoli delivered a pair of RBIs off the righty and Ramirez delivered three more on a bases-loaded double in a four-run outburst in the third.

Over his last two starts, Ventura has surrendered 10 runs on nine hits with more than twice as many walks (11) as strikeouts (four) in eight combined innings.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDDoubling up: Indians manager Terry Francona has tried to find ways to keep the versatile Ramirez in the lineup with regularity. The stocky switch-hitter showed why again vs. the Royals. With the bases loaded in the third, Ramirez sent a pitch from Ventura to left-center for a three-run double. In the fifth, Ramirez doubled again — this …

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