KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Jason Vargas cooled down hot-hitting Cleveland, Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer and the Kansas City Royals held on for a 9-5 victory over the Indians on Tuesday night.
Hosmer also drove in a run during a four-run fourth inning. Alex Gordon homered in the eighth and Mike Moustakas hit a two-run shot later that inning as the Royals moved back to .500 by matching their second-best run total of the season.
Meanwhile, Lonnie Chisenhall’s bat is headed to the Hall of Fame.
The Indians third baseman went 5 for 5 and hit three homers while driving in nine runs in a 17-7 rout of Texas on Monday night. He was told before Tuesday night’s game in Kansas City that the folks in Cooperstown wanted to retire his bat.
Vargas (6-2) gave up six hits and hit three batters with pitches, but didn’t allow a run until Jason Kipnis drove in a pair with a two-out double in the eighth. Tim Collins entered and gave up another run before Aaron Crow yielded two more in the ninth.
Corey Kluber (6-4), who dominated the Royals earlier this season, allowed six runs — three earned — and six hits over five innings. He struck out five and walked two.