Indians pitcher Corey Kluber took a complete-game loss on Wednesday, allowing four earned runs on nine hits and one walk in eight innings while striking out nine in his team's 4-2 defeat against the Royals.
Kluber (3-6) fell behind early, surrendering an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning. While his offense handed him a lead in the top of the third, he gave it right back in the bottom of the inning, surrendering three RBI doubles before escaping the frame in a 4-2 deficit.
"Fortunately in that third, we had the play where [Jason Kipnis] had the good relay, throws the guy out at the plate to kind of eliminate more, but then after that, [Kluber] really buckled down," manager Terry Francona said after the game, per MLB.com. "We had opportunities, too, and just didn't do much with them."
Kluber owns a 3.61 ERA and 105:14 K:BB ratio in 84 2/3 innings. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday against the Mariners at home.