Tony Abreu singles in winning run in 14th inning as Royals snap losing streak with 7-6 win

9/30/2012

CLEVELAND — Tony Abreu's two-out single in the 14th inning gave Kansas City a 7-6 win over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night, snapping the Royals' six-game losing streak.

Scott Maine (2-3) walked Mike Moustakas on four pitches to start the inning. Jeff Francoeur and Brayan Pena struck out, but Maine's wild pitch moved Moustakas into scoring position. Abreu blooped a single to center to score the go-ahead run.

Both teams used nine pitchers and Cleveland's bullpen pitched 10 scoreless innings before allowing the winning run.

Vin Mazzaro (4-3) pitched two scoreless innings and Kelvin Herrera pitched the 14th for his third save. The Indians loaded the bases with nobody out, but didn't score. Cleveland stranded 20 baserunners.

Ezequiel Carrera reached on a bunt hit and took third on Shin-Soo Choo's single to right. Jason Kipnis walked to load the bases. Carlos Santana's fly ball to left wasn't deep enough to score Carrera. Lonnie Chisenhall sent a line drive to right field. Francoeur raced in and made a waist high catch with Carrera holding third.

Casey Kotchman grounded out to end the game, which lasted 4 hours and 52 minutes.

Kansas City's losing streak was its longest since a 12-game skid from April 11-24. The Royals have matched last season's win total when they finished 71-91.

The Indians won Friday night in interim manager Sandy Alomar Jr.'s first game since replacing Manny Acta, who was fired Thursday. Alomar and Terry Francona are the only known candidates for the job. Francona, who managed Boston to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007, likely won't interview until after the season ends on Wednesday.

The loss snapped Cleveland's three-game winning streak. The Indians haven't won four straight since June 18-22.

The Royals were down 1-0, but had a six-run third inning that was highlighted by Francoeur's three-run homer. Billy Butler's RBI single and Moustakas's two-run double also keyed the inning.

Trailing 6-2, the Indians scored twice in the eighth before rallying in the ninth to tie the game off closer Greg Holland. Santana drew a four-pitch walk to start the inning and went to third on Chisenhall's bloop single to left. After Kotchman's sacrifice, pinch-hitter Cord Phelps struck out on three pitches.

Asdrubal Cabrera, who didn't start while resting wrist and back injuries, worked the count to 3-2 before dropping a double into right-center to tie the game.

NOTES: Royals 1B Eric Hosmer said he has a small tear in his right rotator cuff. He was injured diving for a ground ball in Thursday's game against Detroit and an MRI on Friday showed the tear. Hosmer said he will be re-evaluated when the team returns to Kansas City on Monday. ... SS Alcides Escobar was out of the lineup for the second straight game for Kansas City. He injured his right shoulder diving for a ball on Thursday. ... Alomar said Cabrera and Brantley will be in the lineup before the season ends. Cabrera has been in and out of the lineup the last two weeks while Brantley hasn't started for the last five games. ... Alomar said RHP Roberto Hernandez (sprained ankle) could pitch out of the bullpen in the last four games.