Carlos Santana singled twice and walked twice in six plate appearances as the Indians lost in 14 innings to the Royals on Thursday.
Santana was the Indians' only consistent source of offense on Thursday, but they were only able to bring him around once -- to score the tying run in the ninth inning. The first baseman has had a nice turnaround after a sluggish start to the season, now slashing .218/.357/.400 with 15 home runs and 42 RBI.
Danny Duffy tossed seven shutout innings, but took a no-decision as the Royals needed 14 innings to earn victory from the Indians on Thursday.
Duffy had the misfortune of going up against Corey Kluber, who was on point all night long. Nevertheless, Duffy nearly outmatched the Indians' right-hander, relenting only two hits and two walks while striking out seven. Duffy has been great since moving into the rotation in May, sporting a 2.50 ERA as a starter. On the season overall, including his six relief appearances, he has a 2.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 76/34 K/BB ratio. Duffy will take the hill against the Twins at home in his next start.
Corey Kluber brought a perfect game into the seventh inning, ultimately pitching nine innings of one-run (unearned) ball, but the Indians lost in 14 innings to the Royals on Thursday.
Kluber's dance with a perfect game ended with one out in the seventh inning when Omar Infante singled on a line drive to center field. Kluber lost his shutout in the eighth when a poor defensive play by Ryan Raburn allowed Mike Moustakas to round the bases on a Little League home run (scored a double and a two-base error). Kluber went nine innings but the Indians needed 14 before they were dispatched. On the night, Kluber allowed two hits, walked none, and struck out 10. The right-hander now has a 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 162/33 K/BB ratio. Kluber will face the Mariners at home next week.
Newsday's Marc Carig reports that teams have reached out to the Mets about trading for Daniel Murphy, but the club is "more likely to keep Murphy rather than deal him away."
Murphy, who made his first All-Star team this season, is batting .287/.335/.406 with seven homers, 38 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 2014. The 29-year-old is making $5.7 million this year and will be eligible for arbitration for a final time over the winter. He's been connected to the Giants and Blue Jays but it sounds like the Mets would prefer to hang on to him for the time being.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Mets have told the Rockies that they want in on the bidding if Colorado ever decides to trade Troy Tulowitzki and/or Carlos Gonzalez.
At least publicly, the Rockies have maintained a commitment to both players. However, there's some feeling that they could eventually change their mind, whether it be at the trade deadline or this offseason. The Mets have been shopping for a shortstop for a while now and have a bevy of pitching prospects, so they could be a fit. However, Sherman notes that Tulo has a no-trade clause and might prefer to play for the Yankees than the Mets. Sherman also adds that the Cardinals are "enamored with Tulowitzki and would move significant pieces to land him." Rest assured, there will be multiple teams in on the bidding if Tulo and/or CarGo are put on the trade block.
Arismendy Alcantara went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored as the Cubs were trampled by the Padres 13-3 on Thursday.
Alcantara, who has split his time between second base and center field, enjoyed his fourth multi-hit game out of only 11 thus far to begin his major league career. The talented 22-year-old is slashing .277/.327/.532 with two home runs, seven RBI, and four stolen bases in 52 plate appearances.
Seth Smith logged three hits in four trips to the plate in Thursday's routing of the Cubs.
Smith singled and scored in the first, doubled and was stranded in the third, then singled in a run in the sixth and later came around to score on another single. With the Padres up by a substantial amount in the seventh, journeyman Jeff Francoeur pinch-hit for Smith with lefty reliever James Russell on the hill. Smith continues to enjoy a breakout season, slashing .293/.390/.514 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI.
Rene Rivera had a great night at the dish, going 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a two-run single in Thursday's win against the Cubs.
Rivera entered the night having logged just one hit in his last 17 plate appearances, so he busted out of the slump in a big way. He took Edwin Jackson deep for a solo shot in the fifth inning, then singled to right to drive in two in the sixth. Rivera has done well in the power department, but hasn't done much else, slashing .228/.286/.436 with seven home runs and 26 RBI on the season.