CLEVELAND – Franmil Reyes hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to help the Cleveland Indians snap a nine-game losing streak – the longest with Terry Francona as manager – with a win on Thursday the 7th. -4 over the Kansas City Royals.
After Royals manager Mike Matheny decided that reliever Greg Holland (2-4) would walk the dangerous José Ramirez to put runners on first and second, Reyes made him pay with his board to the left-field seats.
Reyes’ 14th home run of the season sparked an effusive celebration for the Indians, who desperately needed a win after suffering a series of injuries.
Before Reyes’ home run, Roberto Perez hit a three-touchdown home run in the eighth inning to give the Indians new life.
Carlos Santana blew the wall twice for the Royals, including a game-tying cannon in the ninth inning off James Karinchak (5-2) who was the winning pitcher after missing the save.
Bobby Bradley also homered for the Indians, who won for the first time since July 28 and avoided extending their worst string of losses since losing 11 in a row in 2012.
Perez’s home run off Scott Barlow put Cleveland ahead 4-3. But the celebration came brief after Santana, who played 10 seasons with the Indians before signing with Kansas City last winter, hit his second home run of the evening.
Hunter Dozier also blew the wall for the Royals, who have lost 14 of their last 17 games.
For the Indians, Puerto Rican Roberto Pérez 4-1 with three RBIs and one scored. Dominican Franmil Reyes 4-1 with three RBIs and two runs; José Ramírez 4-0 with one scored; Amed Rosario from 5-1. Venezuelan César Hernández 4-1 with one scored. The Colombians Harold Ramírez 4-1; Oscar Mercado 4-1.
For the Royals, Carlos Santana 3-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored. The Venezuelan Salvador Pérez 4-0.
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