Even for home teams Getaway Day Baseball at odd start times often produces clunkers and other unmentionables and today’s Royals-Indians game was no exception. Looking generally uninspired, the Tribe lost 4-2 and dropped the series.

— The Indians managed but 6 singles, went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position and squandered the few opportunities presented. They are now just 2-6 at home.

— Royals starter Luis Mendoza entered the game 0-2, 6.92. The Indians beat him 11 days earlier, scoring 9 runs in only 4 IP during a 13-7 rout, but today most Tribe hitters looked confused and off balance.

— Josh Tomlin, coming off an impressive 8 inning one run start against Felix Hernandez in Seattle, lasted only 4.2 innings and fell to 1-2, 5.48 on the year.

— The team claimed 9,229 suckers were in attendance but don’t believe it. There were more vendors than fans.

— The Royals scored a run in the first inning after a double, walk and single loaded the bases for a double play grounder by Eric Hosmer.

— The Indians tied the game in the third on a leadoff single by Jose Lopez who advanced to second on a ground ball by Jason Kipnis and scored on a single by Aaron Cunningam.

— The Royals took the game with 3 runs in a damp, misty fifth inning. With 2 out and 2 men on, consecutive run producing singles by Jeff Francoeur and Mike Moustakas drove Tomlin from the game. Dan Wheeler relieved and allowed a third RBI hit to Brayan Pena for a 4-1 lead.

— The Indians tried to rally the next inning. A nice drag bunt by Brantley, a single by Cabrera and a walk to Santana loaded the bases with no outs. Hafner lined deep to left center for a run but Shelley Duncan, who struggled mightily in the series going 1-10 with 8 Ks, took a third strike and Hannahan grounded out.

— The Indians had 2 runners on in both the 8th and 9th innings but could not score as the timely hitting so welcome on the road trip once more disappeared at home.

— On the bright side, Joe Smith and Tony Sipp combined for 3 innings of 1 hit relief.

Getaway Baseball. How true.

Too bad the Indians aren’t going back on the road (7-2 record) until next week.

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