The Indians are picking a very handy time to put together a little winning streak.
↵Following a rain delay before the game and a couple more during the game -- including a delay that took Justin Masterson out of the game with a five-run lead -- the Tribe prevailed 6-4 over the Kansas City Royals, powered by Matt LaPorta's grand slam -- the second slam for the Indians in two days (Shin-Soo Choo belted one on Friday) -- to win their third straight game and to guarantee that they will leave Kansas City in fourth place in the Central no matter what happens today.
↵The Indians tallied five times in the fourth inning on LaPorta's slam -- following a Choo RBI -- and then watched the Royals hit two two-run blasts off of Justin Germano in the bottom half after Germano replaced Masterson following a long delay. Jayson Nix drove in the last Tribe run with a single in the eighth.
↵Joe Smith got the victory with a scoreless inning, and Chris Perez picked up his 21st save.
↵The series concludes this afternoon with Josh Tomlin going for the Indians against Luke Hochevar.