Kansas City, MO (My Sportsbook) - Victor Martinez had two hits and two walks, as the Cleveland Indians used a six-run fifth to defeat Kansas City, 9-3, in the first of three games with the Royals.

Jamey Carroll and Asdrubal Cabrera each had two hits, a run scored and an RBI in the victory, the Indians' third in four games.

"We've been creeping towards (a .500 record), we've been playing great baseball over this last period (of) time," Carroll said. "Our goal is to end on a good note. Obviously I think with the way the year has been going if we would finish above .500 and then some, I think we would be happy with the way that it ended."

Starter Anthony Reyes pitched three shutout innings and gave up just one hit before leaving, and Edward Mujica (2-1) picked up the win after tossing two scoreless innings in relief.

Brandon Duckworth (2-1) was tagged for five runs on five hits and four walks in four-plus innings, with one strikeout, and took the loss.

"It's probably not a good sign playing three games in the last two days, (and) you've got 12 guys in your bullpen and all 12 of them pitch," Royals manager Trey Hillman said of his tiring bullpen. "If you are trying to stay in control of the ballgame or hold the lead, you've just got to stop the bleeding."

Jose Guillen drove in two runs with a pair of doubles for the Royals, who had their three-game winning streak ended. David DeJesus added a sacrifice fly in defeat.

The Indians got on the board in the second, after loading the bases with nobody out on two walks and a single. Ryan Garko grounded into a double play, but Jhonny Peralta scored on the play. Cabrera added an RBI single two batters later for a 2-0 lead.

Cleveland extended its lead in the fifth. Cabrera and Grady Sizemore singled to put runners on the corners, and Carroll singled up the middle to plate one and end Duckworth's start.

Joel Peralta came in, and David Dellucci greeted him with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Jhonny Peralta followed with the team's fifth consecutive single to plate Carroll, and Martinez hit an RBI single to plate Dellucci and send Kansas City to the bullpen once again.

Yasuhiko Yabuta was brought in to stop the rally, but Shin-Soo Choo kept the offense rolling, singling to score another run. The Indians added their sixth run of the inning on a double play -- again by Garko -- to make it 8-0 at the end of five innings.

DeJesus' sacrifice fly and Guillen's two-RBI double in the seventh off Tom Mastny brought the Royals within 8-3. Garko added an RBI single in the ninth to cap the scoring.

Game Notes

The Indians lead the season series 8-4...Cleveland has a 10-game road winning streak...Reyes left after three innings with soreness in his right elbow...Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook had successful arthroscopic surgery on his right hip Friday. He underwent Tommy John surgery earlier in the season, but it will not affect his return time for 2009. The righty will be on crutches for the next few weeks.