Royals come close but lose rain-suspended game to Indians, 4-3

After three weeks, the Royals came close to grabbing an improbable victory from the Indians. Instead, the team lost 4-3 on Monday in a resumption of the rain-suspended game on Aug. 31.

A good deal of intrigue surrounded the game, which of course began at Kauffman Stadium. Manager Ned Yost had a variety of options to choose from to supplement his roster.

Terry Francona simplified the decisions for Yost. He removed left-hander Kyle Crockett for right-handed reliever Scott Atchison. Yost stuck with left-handed hitter Mike Moustakas.

Moustakas punched a 2-2 single to right. Up came Eric Hosmer to pinch-hit for backup catcher Erik Kratz. Atchison struck him. Then he grounded out Alcides Escobar.

With two outs, Nori Aoki ripped a single to left. Terrance Gore, a rookie pinch runner who was in the minors when this game began, scored from second base. Jarrod Dyson pinch-ran for Aoki and stole second base.

But Omar Infante popped up. The inning lasted a little more than nine minutes.

This story was originally published September 22, 2014 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Royals come close but lose rain-suspended game to Indians, 4-3."