After shutting out the Kansas City Royals in each of the last two games, the Cleveland Indians came into today’s afternoon game looking to finish off a three-game sweep of their division rivals. A loss for the Royals would put them back under .500, and nine games out of first place in the American League Central Division with 33 games to play. Meanwhile, the Indians would strengthen their hold on the A.L. Central despite dealing with a multitude of injuries. That’s exactly what happened as the Indians throttled the Royals 12-0 to finish off the series sweep.

Carlos Carrasco started off the game by retiring the first three batters before Eric Skoglund took the mound for the Royals. Skoglund, who was making his first start for the Royals since June 9th (and pitching for the first timee at any level since August 15th as he replaced injured Royals starter Danny Duffy), walked Francisco Lindor to start the game. Austin Jackson then fouled off several two-strike pitches before pulling the ball on a single to left field. After that, Jose Ramirez, who has struggled since the All-Star Break, hit a double down the third base line to score Lindor. Jackson then scored on a fielder’s choice to second by Edwin Encarnacion. Carlos Santana then popped out to foul territory and the first base side, but Brandon Guyer then singled to left field to score Ramirez. Yandy Diaz followed that up with a single to right field to give the Indians runners at first and second base. Bradley Zimmer then struck out to end the inning. The Indians had the early 3-0 lead, but they were just getting started.

The Indians continued to pour it on in the second inning when Yan Gomes singled to left field, and Lindor hit a bomb to the left field bleachers for his 24th home run of the year. Jackson then doubled to left field and Encarnacion walked to end the day for Skoglund with one out in the second inning. Onelki Garcia came on in relief to make his season debut for the Royals and first major league appearance since 2013. Things didn’t go any better for Garcia as Santana hit a three-run home run off the left field foul pole for his 20th round tripper of the year. Brandon Guyer then singled and went to second base on a throwing error by Whit Merrifield. Diaz then walked, and Zimmer reached base on a single up the middle as Merrifield bobbled the ball while trying to transfer it to his throwing hand. Gomes then came up for his second at-bat of the inning and crushed a grand slam to the bleachers. Lindor then reached base on an infield single and yet another bad throw by Merrifield. Jackson then hit into a double play to end the inning, but the nine-run outburst was the Indians’ highest scoring inning of the year, and gave them a 12-0 lead after just two innings. Garcia settled down after that and held the Indians scoreless over the next three innings, but by then it was too late.

Meanwhile, Carlos Carrasco was terrific. Cookie pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing six hits and walking none. He did a great job of staying aggressive when the Royals got a hit, and never really seemed to be in any danger. Craig Breslow and Zach McAllister each pitched a scoreless inning, as the Indians pitched three consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1956. The Tribe improved to 73-56, matching their record from last season through 129 games, and maintaining a 6.5 game lead over the Minnesota Twins for first place in the A.L. Central. The Royals feel under .500 at 64-65.

Things I Noticed

Today was one of those special days where your baseball team can do no wrong. The Tribe’s nine-run second inning was amazing to watch, and showed just how good this team can be on any given day.

The Royals are far from mathematically eliminated from contention in the A.L. Central, but it sure seems like the Indians disposed of them with this series. They dominated the Royals in every facet of the game, and the gap between the two teams seems even bigger than the nine games the Indians lead the Royals by.

The most amazing thing about the Indians taking control of the A.L. Central is how they’ve done it despite so many injuries. Michael Brantley, Jason Kipnis, Josh Tomlin, Danny Salazar, Andrew Miller, Lonnie Chisenhall, Abraham Almonte. All of these men are currently on the Disabled LIst. Brandon Guyer and Corey Kluber have both spent significant time on the the D.L. as well. Considering how badly the injury bug has bit the Indians, the fact that they still lead the A.L. Central is a testament to how deep and talented this team and organization is. They’re so deep in fact, that it’s hard to see them doing anything but adding those injured players as they return to health when rosters expand in September.

On a related note, arguably the most interesting thing pertaining to the Indians and the playoffs will be which outfielders make the postseason roster. There’s seven to choose from in Brantley, Zimmer, Bruce, Guyer, Jackson, Chisenhall, and Almonte, and only five will likely make it. Almonte seems like the most obvious exclusion, but who else? Brantley and Bruce are locks, if healthy. Zimmer has struggled tremendously at the plate since the All-Star break, hitting just .205 with a .616 OPS, but provides terrific defense in center field. Jackson has been tremendous both at the plate and in the field all year, and seems likely to take a spot as well. Guyer’s bat is finally coming around after he missed most of the first half of the season, and his ability to hit left-handed pitching and get on base (read hit by pitches) is extremely valuable. Chisenhall hasn’t played since July 9th, but was having the best year of his career before that, and can play all three outfield positions as well as third base if needed. There are no easy answers here.

The Indians hit the road for an 11 game road trip that begins with a three-game series against the Yankees starting tomorrow night. Until then, GO TRIBE!

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