Jimenez, Indians aim for win over Royals
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Dominican-born righty Ubaldo Jimenez aims for his third victory of the season - and second against Kansas City - when the Cleveland Indians host the Royals in the middle game of a three-game series at Progressive Field.
A 19-game winner with Colorado in 2010 and a 10-game winner while splitting time with the Rockies and Indians last season, Jimenez won a 13-7 decision over the Royals in an April 15 start in which he allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings.
He's won both career meetings with Kansas City while allowing 16 hits and five runs in 12 innings for a 3.75 earned run average.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In one start since the Kansas City win, Jimenez allowed two runs on six hits in six innings in a 4-3 win at Oakland.
He's opposed by former No. 1 overall pick Luke Hochevar, who'll also face Cleveland for the second time this season.
The University of Tennessee product was ripped for nine hits and seven runs in four innings of an 8-3 loss to the Indians on April 13 and is a composite 4-8 in 12 starts against Cleveland for his career.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hochevar defeated Los Angeles in his initial start of the season on April 7, then got a no-decision in his most-recent outing - a five-inning stint against Toronto in which he gave up just a run on two hits.
In Tuesday's opener, Jack Hannahan's two-run double highlighted a three-run sixth, as Cleveland sent Kansas City to its 12th straight loss with a 4-3 decision.
Shelley Duncan and Carlos Santana knocked in a run each for the Indians, who have won four of five overall.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Derek Lowe (3-1) worked six strong innings, scattering eight hits and one run while fanning five.
Chris Perez allowed an RBI groundout from Billy Butler to pull KC within a run in the ninth, but after an Eric Hosmer single, he retired Jeff Francoeur on a fielder's choice to end the game and earn his seventh save.
Mitch Maier finished with three hits and two RBI for the Royals, who haven't won since April 10 at Oakland.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jonathan Sanchez (1-1) lasted 4 2/3 frames, allowing four hits and four runs with a season-high seven walks.
The Indians swept a three-game series against the Royals in Kansas City from April 13-15 and have won 14 of the last 18 encounters.