41,337 fans stood and cheered as the big slugger walked to home plate.
On Friday night, Jim Thome was back in Cleveland, and a sellout crowd flocked to Progressive Field to greet the future Hall of Famer. And despite the fact that Thome, who played for the Indians from 1991-2002, was held hitless, the Tribe earned a much-needed victory to begin a 3-game series against the Royals.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the 7th, the Indians finally solved Felipe Paulino. The Royals' right-hander appeared headed toward a possible shutout before Carlos Santana walked and Kosuke Fukudome singled with 1 out. Pualino did whiff Shelley Duncan, but Jack Hannahan punched a clutch, RBI single into center field to plate the tying run. After walking Lou Marson, Paulino was yanked in favor of Tim Collins. Collins, though, promptly issued a bases-loaded walk to Ezequiel Carrera, and the Tribe had its 1st lead of the evening.
That rally helped give Ublado Jimenez a well-deserved win. Ubaldo pitched 7 dominant innings, surrendering only a solo homer to Eric Hosmer, and he struck out 10 Kansas City batters.
Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez each tossed a scoreless frame to finish the ballgame. Perez notched his 28th save of the campaign.
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| Thome's return created an electric atmosphere at Progressive Field |
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