Jose Ramirez hits 2 homers Indians sweeping

KANSAS CITY – Jose Ramirez gave a flashback to his 2018 power game in the Thursday series finals at Kauffman Stadium, and it fits in well with what the Indians might achieve in the second half of & # 39; 19.
Ramirez, who started the day with only five homers in 82

KANSAS CITY – Jose Ramirez gave a flashback to his 2018 power game in the Thursday series finals at Kauffman Stadium, and it fits in well with what the Indians might be able to achieve in the second half of & # 39; 19.

Ramirez, who started the day with just five homers in 82 matches this season, blew two on Thursday. The rest of the Cleveland's lineup presented a textbook offensive screen in the seventh inning when the Indians completed a three-game sweep with an 8-4 victory over the Royals.

• Box score

Trailing 3-2 goes to the seventh went Indians to work against reliever Jorge Lopez. Kevin Plawecki and Bobby Bradley appointed before Tyler Naquin called a run-scoring double. Francisco Lindor grounded a two-run single up to the middle to give Cleveland a 5-3 lead.

Then came a number of well-run offensive maneuvers – none of them were a hit.

Lindor stole the second before Oscar Mercado put a victim box and sounded the second time in a throwing error when Lindor scored. Carlos Santana who improved his base strip to 27 games earlier, moved the Mercado to third with a groundout to the right and Jason Kipnis handed a sacrifice flight that made it 7-3. [19659003] Ramirez then covered the six-round frame with a long ball to complement the small ball. Ramirez, who had 39 homers last season, deposited his second homer of the day in the right field stand and was aware that he could be ready to roll with the stocking after the All-Star break.

"It feels really good to do that, and most importantly, help my team win," Ramirez said through a translator.

Ramirez recorded the 10th multihomer game in his career and his first since July 30, 2018 in Minnesota. The two homers on Thursday matched his total from the previous 47 games combined.

"I love him," Native American leader Terry Francona said. "It's nice to see him smile."

If Ramirez could use Thursday's action as a springboard to some hard hit in the second half, it could be a key to Cleveland in his quest to chase Minnesota into the central league of the US league.

"I feel stronger than usual," Ramirez said. "Let's see how it unfolds, but I'm convinced it can happen."

Royals were up, 3-1, in third after knocking the Indians starting Zach Plesac. Kansas City had the bases loaded with two outs when reliever A.J. Cole was knocking out Cheslor Cuthbert. It made it possible for the Indians to hang close and the offense finally put them over the top of the seventh.

Francona believed that Cole strikeout in third was a big turn in the game.

"If he doesn't get it, it's an upward battle," Francona said.

The Indians will take a four-win strike in Cincinnati, where they will try to draw closer to the Twins headline in the All-Star break.

"Whether you're ahead or chasing, everyone is fighting for winning night in and night," Plawecki said. "There are lots of baseball to play, but we're in a good little groove right now."