Salazar’s 9 K’s help Tribe stay tough on Royals

CLEVELAND — The Indians used a solid performance from right-hander Danny Salazar, plus a pair of home runs, to pick up a 6-1 victory over the Royals on Friday night at Progressive Field. The win trimmed Kansas City’s lead atop the American League Central to one-half game.

Homers by catcher Yan Gomes and rookie outfielder Tyler Naquin helped back the outing by Salazar, who limited the Royals to one run on three hits and struck out nine in eight innings. Both home runs came off Kansas City starter Edinson Volquez, who was charged with five runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Naquin’s home run, which had an exit velocity of 104.5 mph according to Statcast™, was the first of his career.

The Royals worked Salazar for five walks, but the only damage done came off the bat of catcher Drew Butera. In the third inning, Butera belted a pitch from Salazar to left field for a leadoff homer — his second blast in as many games.

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