Thu Aug 21 15:50:59 2008

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Sizemore's big day gives Tribe sweep of Royals

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Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Grady Sizemore had a career-high seven runs driven in and Cliff Lee became the first 18-game winner in the AL as the Cleveland Indians pounded the Kansas City Royals, 10-3, to complete a three- game sweep at Progressive Field.

Lee (18-2) continued his march to a Cy Young trophy as he became the second 18-game winner in the majors this year, joining Arizona's Brandon Webb, with a seven-inning performance as he gave up three runs -- two earned -- on six hits with a pair of walks and seven strikeouts. He kept his earned-run average at an MLB-best 2.43. It was the fourth straight start he has won, moving to 7-0 in his last eight starts.

Sizemore went 4-for-5 with a triple and hit his career-high 29th home run of the season, and Shin-Soo Choo smacked a two-run home run for the Indians, who have won four straight and five of six overall.

Mark Teahen drove in a pair of runs while Zach Greinke (9-9) got the loss for giving up five runs -- one earned -- on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts in five innings of work for the Royals, who have dropped five straight and eight of nine.

The Indians took the lead in the second as Sizemore belted a shot to left- center that David DeJesus was unable to run down and Sizemore made it third on a three-run triple.

Cleveland got two more on the board in the third as Choo hit a two-run home run that just barely cleared the wall in dead center for a 5-0 lead.

The Royals didn't get their first hit of the game until the fifth inning, but they got four straight hits to get back into the game. After Jason Smith reached base on an error, John Buck got KC's first hit of the game with a single to left. Teahen followed with a two-run double and Tony Pena then singled to left to make it a 5-3 game. Mike Aviles then singled, but Esteban German hit into an inning-ending double play.

Cleveland got a run back in the sixth inning. Jamey Carroll walked and moved to second on an Asdrubal Cabrera ground out. Sizemore then singled to bring home Carroll and make it a 6-3 contest.

Jhonny Peralta led off the seventh with a home run over the left field wall to give the Indians a 7-3 lead.

Cleveland sealed the victory in the eighth. Josh Newman started on the mound for KC and gave up back-to-back walks to Carroll and Cabrera before Sizemore belted a pitch into the right field stands for a 10-3 lead.

Game Notes

Cleveland turned five double plays in the game...Kansas City returns home to face Detroit starting on Friday...Cleveland starts a three-game set in Texas on Friday...The Indians have won seven of 11 against the Royals this season...Lee is 10-4 in 17 starts against the Royals in his career...Greinke is 3-7 in 16 games -- 11 starts -- against Cleveland...Lee matched his career- high in wins that he set in 2005...Smith replaced Alex Gordon at third base when Gordon left in the fifth inning with tightness in his right quadriceps...It was the most double plays KC hit into since July 1, 1995 and the most Cleveland turned since September 13, 2005 against Oakland.