Kansas City Royals Outslug Cleveland Indians 10-5

The Cleveland Indians dropped their second game of the Spring in as many attempts against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, falling to K.C. 10 to 5.

Tribe hitters, led by Carlos Santana and Michael Bourn, were able to muster 12 hits against six Royal pitchers in the losing effort.  Bourn, batting leadoff, scratched out two hits at the top of the order before giving way to Tyler Naquin.  Bourn’s pair of singles raised his Spring Training average to a lofty .538.  Santana also belted two hits, including a two-run home run in the fifth off Royals pitcher Casey Coleman.

The Indians held a 3-0 lead after two frames thanks in part to a first inning Jose Ramirez ground out which plated Michael Bourn and a second inning two-run homerun by catcher Roberto Perez.

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Nick Maronde, acquired last year from the Los Angeles Angels, started for the Tribe and pitched 3.0 innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits while striking out one and walking none.  Maronde was relieved by Bryan Shaw, who saw his Spring Training ERA balloon to 21.60 after allowing three earned runs in the fourth.

Shaw, who took the loss, was followed by Scott Downs, who allowed two earned runs in just 0.1 innings.  Anthony Swarzak and Charles Brewer were next up, but did not fare much better.  Each reliever also allowed two earned to Royals’ hitters.

The Indians will see their first split-squad action on Friday, and may have to do so without the services of Ryan Raburn and Zach Walters.  Raburn exited the Thursday’s game with a left knee injury.  Walters bowed out with an abdominal strain.  Both are listed as day to day.

Friday’s probables include Zach McAllister, who will take the mound for the Tribe against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and T.J. House who will square off against the Cubs’ Wada.  Both games begin at 4:05 p.m.