KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Russell Branyan hit a two-run homer and Fausto Carmona and three Cleveland relievers combined to help the Indians shut out the Kansas City Royals 4-0 Wednesday night.
Asdrubal Cabrera snapped an 0-for-16 skid with a two-run single in the fifth.
Carmona allowed five hits, walked two and struck out two in five scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 3.43.
Carmona (4-1) is only one victory shy of matching his 2009 total when he went 5-12 with a 6.32 ERA.
Relievers Aaron Laffey, Chris Perez and Tony Sipp limited the Royals to four more hits over the final four innings.
The Royals have lost seven straight and nine of their last 10.
Kyle Davies (2-2) gave up two runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out four in five innings.
The Royals, who have scored just nine runs in their past five games, stranded a season-high 13 runners and went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Designated hitter Jose Guillen left seven runners on base, including striking out to end the seventh with the bases loaded.
Alberto Callaspo hit two doubles, the only extra-base hits for the Royals. Scott Podsednik and Mike Aviles each had two singles for the Royals.
There was a rain delay of 26 minutes after the third inning and a 70-minute rain delay after the fifth.
Notable
Royals manager Trey Hillman altered his batting order, moving RF David DeJesus from leadoff to the third slot. Podsednik, who had been hitting second, hit first. Butler, who had hit in the third slot for 27 games, hit cleanup.
Today
- Who: Cleveland at Kansas City
- Time: 2:10 p.m.
- Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
- Pitchers: Huff (1-4, 4.60 ERA) vs. Greinke (0-4, 2.51)
- TV/radio: WEOL 930-AM, WTAM 1100-AM
