Hosmer’s Homer Sinks Salazar and the Indians in Royals 3-1 Win: Three Takeaways From the Setback

1. Salazar’s Good Night Stopped in the 5th

It looked like things were going as planned for Indians starter Danny Salazar, who was handed a 1-0 lead entering the home half of the 5th.

While he had struck out seven to that point, things were about to go South in a hurry for the Tribe starter in a big way against a player who has had lots of success against him in the past.

The inning looked like it would pass with no damage after Salazar was able to induce a double-play that left a player on third with two outs.

That player was Royals slugger Eric Hosmer, who already had three career homers against Salazar.

Make that four.

Hosmer didn’t wait long, crushing Salazar’s first pitch 469 feet, the longest home run this season in the Majors, to put the Royals up 2-1.

The immediate thought it why not walk a guy who had so much success against Salazar in the past? Even putting the go-ahead run on first with two outs likely would have been better for Salazar, as he would have been facing catcher Salvador Perez.

Instead, Salazar pitched to Hosmer, and just like that in one pitch that went a very long way – the game was basically over.

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