Royals double their way to win over Indians

Royals double their way to win over Indians

Published Mar. 14, 2013 6:43 p.m. ET

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) -- Adam Moore hit two of the Kansas City Royals' seven doubles and drove in two runs in a 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.

Moore, bidding for a job as backup catcher, had three hits as the designated hitter.

Starting catcher Salvador Perez had two hits, including a double. Mike Moustakas, David Lough, Johnny Giavotella and Chris Getz all had doubles.

Zach McAllister pitched 3 1-3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, a walk and two hit batters. Terry Francona told McAllister that he earned the fourth spot in the Cleveland rotation on Sunday.

Lonnie Chisenhall hit his third homer of spring training and doubled off Jeremy Guthrie, who will be in the Royals' rotation. Matt Carson hit his fourth home run off Kansas City closer Greg Holland.

Guthrie pitched four innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

The Kansas City Royals gave the Cleveland Indians a close look at baseball's hottest offense.

Adam Moore hit two of the Royals' seven doubles and drove in two runs in a 5-3 victory over the Indians on Thursday. Kansas City began the day hitting 36 points higher than the next closest club and had 12 hits against Cleveland.

Moore, bidding for a job as backup catcher, had three hits as the designated hitter.

Starting catcher Salvador Perez had two hits, including a double. Mike Moustakas, David Lough, Johnny Giavotella and Chris Getz also had doubles.

"Adam Moore had a great day," manager Ned Yost said. "He had a great battle in his last at-bat. He won the battle with a double down the line. David Lough is really doing a nice job, great at-bat. It was a good day for both of those kids."

Zach McAllister pitched 3 1-3 innings, allowing three runs and five hits, a walk and he hit two batters. Indians manager Terry Francona told McAllister that he earned the fourth spot in the rotation on Sunday.

"I'm going to keep the same mindset as before," said McAllister, who will open the season in the big leagues for the first time. "It has worked for me so far."

McAllister now has the freedom to work on other aspects of his game.

"All day he was fighting to find a rhythm," Francona said. "He found it for periods of time. It was a battle for him all day but saying that he did a great job of holding runners. That is something we asked him to do over the winter."

Lonnie Chisenhall hit his third homer of spring training and doubled off Jeremy Guthrie, who will be in the Royals' rotation. Matt Carson hit his fourth home run off Kansas City closer Greg Holland.

Guthrie pitched four innings, allowing two runs on five hits.

"Guthrie is a professional," Yost said. "He uses his time to polish his mechanics, work on his delivery, get his tempo. He really focuses on commanding his pitchers. His last two innings were better than his first two innings and his first two innings weren't too bad. He is really, really close."

The Royals bunched three consecutive doubles against Trevor Bauer, who is in the mix for the Indians' fifth starting spot.

Lough, Moore and Getz found gaps in the Cleveland outfield.

Bauer, acquired by the Indians in a trade with Arizona, ran up the mound on his first warmup pitch and fired it against the screen behind home plate. It is the right-handed pitcher's routine.

"There is a lot to like about him," Francona said of the pitcher, who is competing with veterans Scott Kazmir and Daisuke Matsuzaka for the starter's job. "We all understand that come opening day he's not the finished product. He just turned 22 and there is a pretty bright future. With most young pitchers consistency of command is the thing that comes last. He has tremendous arm speed and really good change up and even here in Arizona his breaking ball has depth to it."

Bauer allowed two runs on five hits in four innings.

NOTES: The Royals asked for unconditional release waivers on RHP Guillermo Moscoso on Wednesday. The move leaves the Royals with 39 players on the 40-man roster. ... The Royals have two of the top four hitters in the Cactus League, Alex Gordon started the game at .516, ranked second, and Mike Moustakas (.455) was fourth. ... Jeff Francoeur was hit on the left hand by McAllister but remained in the game. ... Indians catcher Lou Marson is out with "intestinal turmoil" according to Francona. ... The Indians played a "B" game this morning against the Seattle Mariners, winning the seven-inning contest 6-0. Corey Kluber pitched four innings, allowing three hits and a walk. He struck out three. Cody Allen, Rich Hill and Matt Capps each pitched a scoreless inning. Roberto Perez was 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Chris McGuiness was 1 for 2 with two RBIs. Matt Lawson was 2 for 3 with a double. Jordan Henry was 1 for 3 with two RBIs.

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