There have been signs of life throughout the Indians’ lineup of late, but the team has relied heavily on the lower third for run production. That has helped Cleveland tread water while waiting for the top of the line to start churning.
There have been hits and there have been walks, but they have been scattered and ill-timed in the early going this season. Frustration started to seep from the stands at Progressive Field down into the clubhouse, where a handful of key Cleveland hitters have searched for some kind of spark.
The flame flickered on Wednesday night in a 5-3 win over the Royals. All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis delivered the decisive blow — a run-scoring double in the seventh inning to propel the Indians to a two-to-one lead in this four-game series.
“Sometimes you need a big hit at a big time,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “We got it tonight.”
Kipnis’ hit was among six produced by the first three hitters in Cleveland’s lineup, which has been in need of that kind of output over the past few weeks.
Michael Bourn looked like himself in the leadoff spot, Nick Swisher delivered a key hit at an important moment and Kipnis looked once again like the star Cleveland has so embraced. It was a combination that helped support a solid effort from starter Justin Masterson and overcame another game nearly marred by a defensive lapse.
“It was only a matter of time,” Kipnis said. “Even though we haven’t seen the production we wanted to with runners on base, guys are still taking good swings. We’re swinging at the right pitches, but sometimes they’re not falling in. Finally, they are starting to fall in and get some runs for our staff.”
Bourn, Swisher and Kipnis combined to go 6-for-13 with a pair of extra-base hits and three RBIs. In the second inning, Bourn used a two-run triple off Royals lefty Jason Vargas to tie the game at 2. In the seventh, Kipnis delivered his RBI double with two outs to put Cleveland ahead for good, 4-3.
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