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Indians' lineup right on money against lefties

KANSAS CITY -- Due to the lineup structure, opposing teams have been throwing as many left-handers as possible against the Indians this season. The Royals followed that trend on Wednesday, but the Tribe's offense broke out in overwhelming fashion anyway.

That was an encouraging development.

"Against a lefty," manager Terry Francona said. "Man, I was thrilled."

During a 10-3 romp that evened the series at Kauffman Stadium, each member of Cleveland's starting lineup had at least one hit and seven players collected at least one RBI. The Indians struck for four runs off lefty starter Danny Duffy, who hit the showers before recording an out in the second inning, and later added another quartet of runs off left-handed reliever Franklin Morales.

Video: CLE@KC: Moss blasts a two-run double, extends lead

Overall, the Indians went 11-for-21 with nine runs on 11 hits against left-handed pitching in the victory.

This came one day after left-hander Jason Vargas handcuffed the Tribe for six frames.

"Vargas pitched really well," said Indians slugger Brandon Moss, who went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs on Wednesday. "Today, Duffy was struggling with his command a little bit. He got ahead of some guys, but then couldn't finish them off. Even when we made outs, we were able to run his pitch count up and foul off some pretty decent pitches.

"Getting him out of the game in the second inning is huge. We still faced quite a few lefties and got some runs off them."

Wednesday also marked the second game featuring Francona's new-look lineup, which includes Carlos Santana in the No. 2 spot between leadoff man Jason Kipnis and All-Star Michael Brantley. In the win, Kipnis reached base three times (a walk, RBI single and double), Santana reached twice and drove in one run (single, sac fly and a walk) and Brantley added a walk and bloop single.

Video: CLE@KC: Raburn doubles to put Indians up, 6-3

Cleanup hitter Ryan Raburn chipped in an RBI double, while Lonnie Chisenhall, Mike Aviles and Brett Hayes each knocked in one run.

"Obviously, I think it was the right thing to do, or I wouldn't have done it," Francona said of the lineup changes. "But I don't think that's the reason we scored runs. We scored because we hit and we ran the bases. If we don't swing the bat, it doesn't matter. But, I do think that there's some common sense there."

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, and follow him on Twitter @MLBastian.
Read More: Cleveland Indians, Brandon Moss, Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis