Carlos Santana had three hits and drove in the game’s only run and Indians pitchers held the slump-ridden Royals offense to one hit in a 1-0 victory in Sunday’s rubber game at Kauffman Stadium.
Santana singled up the middle in the fifth inning for the only run the Tribe’s staff needed. Santana’s hit traveled at just 76 mph, according to Statcast™, and just past Royals starter Danny Duffy into center field.
“That’s a play I got to make,” Duffy said. “I thought it was hit harder than it was. It was like a changeup.”
It was Santana’s second game-winning hit in two days.
“For about 10 days, I wasn’t swinging good,” Santana said. “But last night and today, I feel much better. Duffy threw me a fastball [on the game-winning hit] and I just tried to go up the middle with a good approach.”
Right-hander Mike Clevinger made his first start of the season after being called up from Triple-A Columbus to replace the injured Corey Kluber. Clevinger gave up just one hit over 5 2/3 innings while walking four and striking out five. The Tribe’s bullpen took over from there and blanked the Royals, who have the league’s worst offense and scored just four runs in the three-game series.
“I thought Clev’s stuff was good,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “You could tell he has made a few adjustments at Triple-A.”
Duffy went 6 2/3 innings and gave up six hits, while striking out two and walking two. Salvador Perez had the Royals’ lone hit, a double, in the fourth inning.
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