José Ramírez homers twice in win over Royals

The Royals bullpen is not amazing.

Kansas City relievers have blown 29 leads this season. That’s the worst in baseball. The Royals bullpen owned a 4.77 ERA and 4.80 xFIP coming into Thursday’s action. Not good.

Luckily for the Indians, the Royals bullpen had another tough day, giving up six runs in relief of starter Homer Bailey, with most of the damage coming in the Tribe’s six-run seventh inning. The Indians ultimately won 8-4, and leave Kansas City with a very respectable 48-38 record on the year.

That big seventh inning started with four consecutive hits for the good guys. Kevin Plawecki went opposite field for a single, followed by a line drive single up the middle by Bobby Bradley. Tyler Naquin then drove a low breaking ball to right center to plate one, and Naquin hustled into second for a double. Francisco Lindor then drove in a pair with his single to center to give the Tribe the lead. Later in the inning, José Ramírez smashed an inside fastball deep into the right field stands to cap off a fantastic frame.

Speaking of Ramírez, the Tribe’s mystery man hit two homers Thursday, his sixth and seventh on the year (how is that even possible?!?). His first homer came in the third off Bailey. JRam has been better lately and let’s hope it continues.

While Kansas City’s bullpen was imploding, the Tribe’s saved starter Zach Plesac from doom. Plesac lasted only 2.2 innings, giving up three runs and mostly just struggling. A.J. Cole, Tyler Clippard, and Adam Cimber were fantastic, throwing 5.1 scoreless inings. Nick Wittgren closed it out, giving up one run in the ninth.

Other Interesting Notes

• Zach Plesac has allowed ten runs in his last two starts.
• Cimber earned the win in relief, his fourth W of the year.
• The game was delayed for over two hours due to rain.
• Francisco Lindor is good at baseball. See below for more proof.