CLEVELAND, July 31 (UPI) — Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur homered Sunday and the Kansas City Royals hung on to defeat the Cleveland Indians 5-3.

Francoeur’s solo shot in the second inning provided the game’s first run and Gordon’s bases-empty blast in the fifth put the Royals up 3-0.

Danny Duffy (3-4) earned the victory with five innings of work, allowing two runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out six.

Louis Coleman and Tim Collins combined for 1 2/3 scoreless frames and, after Greg Holland allowed an eighth-inning run, Joakim Soria picked up his 20th save as Kansas City took the rubber match of a three-game series with the Tribe.

Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona (5-11) was tagged with the loss, yielding four runs on six hits in a 7 1/3-inning effort.

Asdrubal Cabrera went 3-for-3 and Jason Kipnis socked his first major league homer for the Indians, who fell 2 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the American League Central.

Soria’s streak of 12 consecutive saves ended on Matt LaPorta’s three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning that gave the Cleveland Indians a 5-2 victory.

Soria’s early season struggles forced manager Ned Yost to move him out of the closer’s role in late May. The move was temporary and he regained his job about a week later. The right-hander had a 0.41 ERA and had held opponents to a .188 average since then.

Soria’s hot streak ended at an inopportune time. After Chris Getz singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, Soria quickly imploded, hitting Asdrubal Cabrera in the right foot with a pitch. As far as Soria (5-4) was concerned, that set the tone for the inning.

“I threw a curveball in the dirt, but it hit the guy,” he said. “When you put the first guy on, anything can happen.”

“That was about the worst pitch he made all inning,” Yost said.

Travis Hafner bounced into a forceout and was replaced by pinch-runner Orlando Cabrera at first base. Carlos Santana then doubled down the third-base line to put runners on second and third.

“He hit it to the line,” Soria said. “If you look at the pitch, he should be able to hit it that way.”

Kosuke Fukudome, acquired for two minor leaguers on Thursday from the Chicago Cubs, hit a sacrifice fly to tie it at 2 before Lonnie Chisenhall walked. LaPorta delivered his 10th homer, a line shot just over the wall in left.

“It was a fastball right in there,” Soria said. “He crushed the ball. He’s got a lot of power.”

“It was a pretty exciting high,” LaPorta said. “I looked for something over the plate and wanted to attack it.”

LaPorta’s homer gave Cleveland its 12th home win its last at-bat. It was Soria’s sixth blown save in 25 chances.

“This team has been really good at the end of games, but it’s not like I was afraid of them,” Soria said. “I tried to make my best pitches and they hit it.”

The loss was Kansas City’s fourth in 11 games.

“It was a good game,” Yost said. “There was good pitching and clutch hitting on both sides.”

Royals starter Felipe Paulino held Cleveland to four hits over six innings. The right-hander walked two and struck out four, including the side in the first inning on 15 pitches.

Tony Sipp (6-2) pitched the top of the ninth when the Royals took a 2-1 lead. Justin Masterson left after yielding a leadoff single to Jeff Francoeur after the Indians tied the score in the eighth.

Francoeur stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Moustakas and one out later scored on Getz’s single off Sipp that fell safely in right center.

Cleveland, hitless into the fifth, scored in the eighth to tie it at 1. Chisenhall drew a 12-pitch walk from Tim Collins, moved up on a passed ball and scored on Michael Brantley’s two-out ground single to right off Aaron Crow on a full count. Chisenhall slid in ahead of the tag by catcher Brayan Pena, who entered in the sixth when Matt Treanor left with a concussion after tagging out LaPorta trying to score.

Kansas City took a quick 1-0 lead against Masterson. Alex Gordon opened the game with a walk, went to third on a double by Melky Cabrera and scored on a one-out groundout to second by Hosmer.

Treanor was hurt keeping it scoreless in the sixth. LaPorta doubled and took third on a sharp single to center by No. 9 hitter Ezequiel Carrera.

LaPorta was thrown out trying to score on a fly ball to left by Brantley. Alex Gordon’s throw home was in time and LaPorta bowled over Treanor at the plate. He hung on to the ball, but laid motionless, face down in the dirt. He was taken to a hospital for a CT scan and will be placed on the seven-day concussion list.

“He was knocked out at the plate,” Yost said. “He was dazed. He didn’t know what planet he was on when he got up.”

Notes: Gordon’s assist was his 17th this season, tying a Royals record for outfielders. … Indians manager Manny Acta said he expects RHP Carlos Carrasco to be fined, but is not sure a suspension is warranted for his ejection Friday after throwing at the head of Royals slugger Billy Butler. … The Royals’ 12-0 win Friday was their largest road shutout in history, in the team’s 3,389th game outside Kansas City, according to Elias Sports Bureau. … The Royals are the majors’ youngest team, with a roster average of 26 years, 350 days. The Indians are next at 27 years, 210 days.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Joakim Soria had been automatic lately for the Kansas City Royals.

Until Saturday night.

Soria’s streak of 12 consecutive saves ended on Matt LaPorta‘s three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning that gave the Cleveland Indians a 5-2 victory.

Soria’s early season struggles forced manager Ned Yost to move him out of the closer’s role in late May. The move was temporary and he regained his job about a week later. The right-hander had a 0.41 ERA and had held opponents to a .188 average since then.

Soria’s hot streak ended at an inopportune time. After Chris Getz singled home the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, Soria quickly imploded, hitting Asdrubal Cabrera in the right foot with a pitch. As far as Soria (5-4) was concerned, that set the tone for the inning.

“I threw a curveball in the dirt, but it hit the guy,” he said. “When you put the first guy on, anything can happen.”

“That was about the worst pitch he made all inning,” Yost said.

Travis Hafner bounced into a forceout and was replaced by pinch-runner Orlando Cabrera at first base. Carlos Santana then doubled down the third-base line to put runners on second and third.

“He hit it to the line,” Soria said. “If you look at the pitch, he should be able to hit it that way.”

Kosuke Fukudome, acquired for two minor leaguers on Thursday from the Chicago Cubs, hit a sacrifice fly to tie it at 2 before Lonnie Chisenhall walked. LaPorta delivered his 10th homer, a line shot just over the wall in left.

“It was a fastball right in there,” Soria said. “He crushed the ball. He’s got a lot of power.”

“It was a pretty exciting high,” LaPorta said. “I looked for something over the plate and wanted to attack it.”

LaPorta’s homer gave Cleveland its 12th home win its last at-bat. It was Soria’s sixth blown save in 25 chances.

“This team has been really good at the end of games, but it’s not like I was afraid of them,” Soria said. “I tried to make my best pitches and they hit it.”

The loss was Kansas City’s fourth in 11 games.

“It was a good game,” Yost said. “There was good pitching and clutch hitting on both sides.”

Royals starter Felipe Paulino held Cleveland to four hits over six innings. The right-hander walked two and struck out four, including the side in the first inning on 15 pitches.

Tony Sipp (6-2) pitched the top of the ninth when the Royals took a 2-1 lead. Justin Masterson left after yielding a leadoff single to Jeff Francoeur after the Indians tied the score in the eighth.

Francoeur stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Moustakas and one out later scored on Getz’s single off Sipp that fell safely in right center.

Cleveland, hitless into the fifth, scored in the eighth to tie it at 1. Chisenhall drew a 12-pitch walk from Tim Collins, moved up on a passed ball and scored on Michael Brantley’s two-out ground single to right off Aaron Crow on a full count. Chisenhall slid in ahead of the tag by catcher Brayan Pena, who entered in the sixth when Matt Treanor left with a concussion after tagging out LaPorta trying to score.

Kansas City took a quick 1-0 lead against Masterson. Alex Gordon opened the game with a walk, went to third on a double by Melky Cabrera and scored on a one-out groundout to second by Hosmer.

Treanor was hurt keeping it scoreless in the sixth. LaPorta doubled and took third on a sharp single to center by No. 9 hitter Ezequiel Carrera.

LaPorta was thrown out trying to score on a fly ball to left by Brantley. Alex Gordon’s throw home was in time and LaPorta bowled over Treanor at the plate. He hung on to the ball, but laid motionless, face down in the dirt. He was taken to a hospital for a CT scan and will be placed on the seven-day concussion list.

“He was knocked out at the plate,” Yost said. “He was dazed. He didn’t know what planet he was on when he got up.”

Notes: Gordon’s assist was his 17th this season, tying a Royals record for outfielders. … Indians manager Manny Acta said he expects RHP Carlos Carrasco to be fined, but is not sure a suspension is warranted for his ejection Friday after throwing at the head of Royals slugger Billy Butler. … The Royals’ 12-0 win Friday was their largest road shutout in history, in the team’s 3,389th game outside Kansas City, according to Elias Sports Bureau. … The Royals are the majors’ youngest team, with a roster average of 26 years, 350 days. The Indians are next at 27 years, 210 days.

CLEVELAND (AP)—Catcher Matt Treanor(notes) of the Kansas City Royals left the
game after he was hit in the head in a plate collision with the Indians’ Matt
LaPorta(notes).

The Royals announced that Treanor will be placed on the seven-day concussion
list. He was taken to a hospital for a CT scan.

LaPorta tagged up on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon(notes), whose one-hop
throw home beat the runner. Treanor fielded it and was in position for the tag
when LaPorta tried to bowl him over. His right shoulder appeared to hit Treanor
in the face.

LaPorta was called out by umpire Laz Diaz, while Treanor remained
motionless, face down in the dirt. Pitcher Felipe Paulino(notes) retrieved the ball,
called time, and Royals manager Ned Yost and trainers came out to attend to
Treanor.

They wiped blood from the catcher’s face. Treanor walked to the dugout and
was replaced by Brayan Pena(notes).

CHICAGO (AP) — The Boston Red Sox acquired infielder Mike Aviles from the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, giving up infielder Yamaico Navarro and minor league pitcher Kendal Volz in the trade.

Aviles was batting .222 with five home runs and 31 RBIs in 53 games with the Royals. He’s expected to fill a utility infielder’s role with the Red Sox. Aviles spent part of the season at Triple-A Omaha and had been unhappy with his lack of playing time since being recalled July 20.

He’ll give the Red Sox some insurance until Jed Lowrie comes off the disabled list. Lowrie, sidelined by a sore shoulder, will begin a rehab assignment Monday.

“A guy I think our organization has kinda liked from afar for a while,” Boston manager Terry Francona said of Aviles.

“He’s that guy who can really hit left-handers, actually both, but the ability to play short, second, third. … He can run, hit the ball out of the ballpark. How we would use him, I don’t know. Some of this is probably going to depend on Jed because Jed isn’t too far away,” Francona added. “But he seems excited to be here and we’re happy to have him. At some point, I think we’d like to get him to the outfield because I think we think he can do it. He hasn’t done that yet, but we’ll see.”

Navarro was hitting .216 in 16 games with the Red Sox. While Navarro will likely fill Aviles’ utility spot for the time being, his role could expand.

“He has a chance to be a good everyday player,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “We got him for his upside in the bat. He’s 23 years old and he can play short, third and occasionally second.”

“Some people think his best position might be second base, but we’ve got to look at him and find out,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost said.

Navarro batted .258 with five homers and 13 RBIs at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Francona said Navarro was surprised to hear he’d been dealt.

“I think it’s good for him because he’ll probably get a chance to play more than he would here. We certainly wish him well. These things happen quick and he was just taken by surprise a little bit,” Francona said. “He was more worried about ‘What do I do with my clothes that are in Boston?’ and things you probably forget about that guys have to contend with.”

Volz, a 23-year-old right-hander, was 2-3 with two saves and a 3.33 ERA in 31 relief appearances for Class A Salem. He will report to Class A Wilmington.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Boston Red Sox acquired infielder Mike Aviles from the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, giving up infielder Yamaico Navarro and minor league pitcher Kendal Volz in the trade.

Aviles was batting .222 with five home runs and 31 RBIs in 53 games with the Royals. He’s expected to fill a utility infielder’s role with the Red Sox. Aviles spent part of the season at Triple-A Omaha and had been unhappy with his lack of playing time since being recalled July 20.

He’ll give the Red Sox some insurance until Jed Lowrie comes off the disabled list. Lowrie, sidelined by a sore shoulder, will begin a rehab assignment Monday.

“A guy I think our organization has kinda liked from afar for a while,” Boston manager Terry Francona said of Aviles.

“He’s that guy who can really hit left-handers, actually both, but the ability to play short, second, third. … He can run, hit the ball out of the ballpark. How we would use him, I don’t know. Some of this is probably going to depend on Jed because Jed isn’t too far away,” Francona added. “But he seems excited to be here and we’re happy to have him. At some point, I think we’d like to get him to the outfield because I think we think he can do it. He hasn’t done that yet, but we’ll see.”

Navarro was hitting .216 in 16 games with the Red Sox. While Navarro will likely fill Aviles’ utility spot for the time being, his role could expand.

“He has a chance to be a good everyday player,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “We got him for his upside in the bat. He’s 23 years old and he can play short, third and occasionally second.”

“Some people think his best position might be second base, but we’ve got to look at him and find out,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost said.

Navarro batted .258 with five homers and 13 RBIs at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Francona said Navarro was surprised to hear he’d been dealt.

“I think it’s good for him because he’ll probably get a chance to play more than he would here. We certainly wish him well. These things happen quick and he was just taken by surprise a little bit,” Francona said. “He was more worried about ‘What do I do with my clothes that are in Boston?’ and things you probably forget about that guys have to contend with.”

Volz, a 23-year-old right-hander, was 2-3 with two saves and a 3.33 ERA in 31 relief appearances for Class A Salem. He will report to Class A Wilmington.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.