Royals thump Indians

The Indians' Austin Kearns takes off his helmet after striking out against Royals starting pitcher Jeff Francis in the seventh inning.

CLEVELAND — Jeff Francis pitched eight sharp innings, Melky Cabrera hit a grand slam and the Kansas City Royals pounded the Cleveland Indians 12-0 on Friday night in a game that turned testy in the fourth inning.

Billy Butler went deep twice and Alex Gordon also connected for Kansas City, which has won seven of 10. Butler hit a two-run shot in the first and a solo drive in the eighth, giving him five long balls in a four-game homer streak.

Butler came to the plate right after Cabrera’s grand slam in the fourth, and Cleveland starter Carlos Carrasco promptly threw one at his head on the first pitch. Players from both dugouts and bullpens came on the field, and Carrasco was ejected.

Francis (4-11) won for the first time since June 10. He allowed four hits, struck out six and walked one.

The Indians, who were no-hit by Angels right-hander Ervin Santana on Thursday, have lost seven of eight, managing just 13 runs during the slide. Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome, acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, went 0 for 4 in his Indians debut.

Cabrera’s 13th homer was the third allowed by Carrasco in the game and gave the Royals a 7-0 lead. Cabrera stood at home plate and watched his long drive sail into the right-field seats.

Butler moved out of the way when the next pitch came at his head and the ball sailed back to the screen. Home plate umpire Scott Barry immediately ejected Carrasco and Butler was restrained by Indians catcher Lou Marson.

Several Royals players gestured and yelled at Carrasco as he was walking to Cleveland’s dugout. Carrasco shouted back before leaving the field.

Carrasco was replaced by Chad Durbin, who threw a high-and-inside pitch to Cabrera with the bases loaded in the fifth. Cabrera hit the dirt and glared at Durbin, but didn’t make a move toward the mound.

Carrasco (8-9) lost his fifth straight start and has allowed seven home runs in his losing streak. The right-hander lost for the sixth time in his last seven decisions overall.

NOTES: Royals rookie 3B Eric Hosmer extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a first-inning double. ... The Royals are 3-2 on their road trip to Boston and Cleveland. ... RHP Alex White (strained finger ligament) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Akron on Saturday. White started three games for the Indians, but will be used in relief when he returns. ... Indians manager Manny Acta said OF Shin-Soo Choo (broken left thumb) might start taking batting practice in a week to 10 days. Choo was hit by a pitch on June 24.