With two outs in the top of the fourth, Wilson Betemit singled and took second on an error by left-fielder Austin Kearns, but Josh Tomlin got Mike Aviles — who had homered in his prior at bat — to ground out, ending the inning with no damage done to the Indians.
Shin-Soo Choo doubled leading off the Cleveland fourth, ending Jeff Francis’s night. Kansas City brought in Nathan Adcock after Francis had allowed, and, thus far, six runs — five earned — with Choo being Francis’s responsibility.
Shelly Duncan struck out, being retired for the first time tonight and failing to move the runner to third. Travis Hafner also fanned on a called third strike, and Orlando Cabrera lined out to second, as the leadoff double went for nought, and leaving the Indians still leading 6-2.
Quite a job by Adcock.
Alcides Escobar singled with one out in the Kansas City fifth, and Jarrod Dyson singled in the infield, moving Escobar to second. Melky Cabrera flied out to center for a big second out, and Tomlin got Alex Gordon for out number three after another protracted battle at the plate on a liner to right, making this an official game.
The Indians went in order in the bottom of the fifth, making it six straight hitters retired by Adcock in only his fourth career game.
Not to be outdone, Tomlin retired Kansas City in order in the sixth, striking out Jeff Francoeur and Betemit to end the inning. Tomlin was up to 100 pitches, so it was likely that his night was done. And although Tomlin surrendered those two homers in the second, it was another outstanding job.
Grady Sizemore doubled leading off the Tribe sixth — giving every Indian at least one hit on the night. Asdrubal Cabrera grounded to second, moving Sizemore to third with only one down, and Shin-Soo Choo was walked intentionally, setting up the double-play with Shelley Duncan due up.
The strategy backfired when catcher Brayan Pena let a pitch get by for a passed ball, allowing Sizemore to score, making it 7-2, and sending Choo to second. Choo then amped up the pressure, stealing third, but Duncan struck out for the second out. and Hafner flied out, ending the inning with a five-run lead restored.