KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals got a reprieve. Just not much of one. Rain spared Kansas City from having to face Fausto Carmona, one of the Indians’ hottest pitchers, on Wednesday, but only for a day. Now, the Royals will have to face Carmona and Cliff Lee, the Tribe’s hottest pitcher, on the same day.
Because of Wednesday’s rainout, the Royals and Indians will play a doubleheader tonight beginning at 6:10 p.m. Carmona, who is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA, will go against Brett Tomko (1-2, 3.60), while Lee (3-0, 0.40) squares off against Brian Bannister (3-1, 2.42) in the second game.
Heavy rains moved in about 6 p.m. Wednesday and didn’t stop. Just before 9 p.m., the game was officially called and rescheduled as a doubleheader.
The weather, however, is not supposed to be any better tonight with more storms in the forecast.
The rainout was the first at Kauffman Stadium since April 29, 2006, against Oakland. The Royals later swept the Athletics in an Aug. 18, 2006, doubleheader, the last one played at Kansas City.
In other Indians news, it was announced that left-hander Jeremy Sowers will pitch Saturday against the Yankees at Progressive Field, replacing Jake Westbrook, who is on the disabled list with a strained triceps.
Sowers was 0-2 with a 3.18 ERA in four starts at Triple-A Buffalo this season. He got the nod over fellow lefty Aaron Laffey, who is 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA in four starts for the Bisons.
Sowers was 7-4 with a 3.57 ERA as a rookie in 2006, but was demoted after starting last season 0-4 with a 7.13 ERA.
Outfielder Ben Francisco, who was called up Tuesday to take Westbrook’s roster spot, will likely be sent back down when Sowers is activated for Saturday’s game.

TONIGHT

WHO: Cleveland at Kansas City
TIME: 6:10
WHERE: Kauffman Field, Kansas City, Mo.
PITCHERS:
Game 1
Carmona (2-1, 1.96 ERA) vs. Tomko (1-2, 3.60);
Game 2
Lee (3-0, 0.40 ERA) vs. Bannister (3-1, 2.42)
TV/RADIO: SportsTime Ohio; WMMS 100.7-FM

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