Indians lose third straight with 5-1 loss to Royals; three takeaways

1. Plutko flounders

Adam Plutko picked up his fifth loss of the year after a 6-inning outing in which he gave up four runs on seven hits. While Plutko did strike out a single-game career-high eight batters, he also gave up a career-high tying three home runs.

Jorge Bonifacio sent a fastball into the bleachers in the second frame. Ryan O’Hearn had his first multi-homer game, getting the best of the Indians starter in both the fourth and sixth innings.

“Two guys really beat me today, and the one guy beat me twice,” Plutko said. “The one pitch was down and in, and the other one was a changeup, 1-0 count. Yeah, he beat me twice and I gotta do a better job of adjusting to him.”

“He had periods today with two strikes where he didn’t locate and really paid the price, couldn’t keep the ball in the ballpark,” Francona said. “But I didn’t think he pitched bad. He just paid for his mistakes.”

Francona on Plutko: He had periods today with two strikes where he didn't locate and really paid the price, couldn't keep the ball in the ballpark. But I didn't think he pitched bad. He just, he paid for his mistakes. pic.twitter.com/p6n3E9kiXh

— Ashley Bastock (@AshleyBastock42) September 4, 2018

Coming into Monday’s contest, Plutko’s home runs allowed per 9 innings pitched was 2.01. Following the game, it rose to 2.24.

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