Number 9, Number 9, Number 9

I did not see the Indians play the Royals yesterday. My wife (a Steelers fan - what can I say?) and I went to a sports bar to watch football.

However, most accounts indicate that the Indians' fifth starter lost a relatively uninspired game to the Royals, 4-3. It would have been nice to sweep the series, but the Tribe will have to settle for winning the series instead.

The Indians' magic number remains 9, with the chance to knock it down in a hurry with a three-game series beginning against the Motor City Kitties tonight, who have won their last 5 after sweeping a series from the Twins, who appear pretty much to be phoning in the rest of the season. The Kitty Cats remain 2.5 games behind the Yankees for the Wild Card and 4.5 games behind the Indians in the AL Central.