Bradley HR in 9th, Indians overcome bad baserunning, beat KC

CLEVELAND (AP) — Bobby Bradley homered leading off the ninth inning as the Cleveland Indians overcame some brutal baserunning that led to manager Terry Francona's ejection for a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Bradley drove a 1-2 pitch from Jake Brentz (2-2) over the wall in right-center for his 10th homer as the Indians got their second straight walk-off win, touching off another wild celebration inside Progressive Field.

On Thursday, Franmil Reyes' three-run homer in the ninth ended Cleveland's nine-game losing streak.

James Karinchak (6-2) got his second win in two nights, steering around a leadoff double in the ninth.

Jorge Soler homered for the Royals, who have dropped 14 of 17 to fall a season-worst 16 games under .500.

Cleveland got a terrific start from Triston McKenzie, who struck out nine in a career-high seven innings.

Before Bradley's heroics, the Indians were positioned to break a 1-1 tie in eighth — but literally ran themselves out of the inning.

Daniel Johnson led off with a soft liner that fell between Royals outfielders Andrew Benetendi and Michael A. Taylor for his first hit this season. Taylor made things worse by throwing behind Johnson, who took second when the ball got past first baseman Carlos Santana.

César Hernández followed with a single to get Johnson to third, and that's where the fun started.

Amed Rosario hit a grounder to Royals shortstop Nicky Lopez, who trapped Johnson in a rundown between home and third. Johnson stayed alive long enough for Hernández to get to third. But as both were being tagged by Royals All-Star catcher Salvador Perez, Johnson, who was entitled to the base, stepped off and third base umpire James Hoye called both runners out.

Francona asked for an explanation on the odd double play. And when he...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Bradley-HR-in-9th-Indians-overcome-bad-16305363.php