DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GO

Indians See Royals Surge in the Third

Posted on: 10:34 pm, July 31, 2012, by John Telich, updated on: 11:04pm, July 31, 2012

(Photo credit: MGN Online)

KANSAS CITY — Derek Lowe had a spectacular start to the first half of the 2012 season.

Unfortunately, he can’t say the same about the second half of the season.

Lowe tied for his shortest outing of the season Tuesday night against the Royals. He went only 2.1 innings and gave up 7 runs and 8 hits in the 8 to 3 loss to Kansas City.

The Cleveland offense was able to keep the game tied at 3 when Lowe began the third inning, but Lowe could not hang on.

After loading the bases, Lowe balked to score Billy Butler and put the Royals up 4-3.

He followed up the balk with a 2-run double to center field by Chris Getz to give the Royals a 6-3 lead. Josh Tomlin came in for relief the next at bat.

The bottom of the Indians lineup helped the Tribe get on the board early.

Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman each had RBI singles in the first inning.

Michael Brantley and Carlos Santana had solid nights at the plate as well.

Brantely went 2-3 with a double and a run scored. Santana went 1-2 with a double and a run scored.

The Indians went on to lose by a score of 8 to 3.

Game 2 of the Central Division series is Wednesday at 8:10 p.m.

Zach McAllister (4-2) starts for Cleveland and Luis Mendoza (4-7) will start for Kansas City.