Royals-Indians postponed by rain

    Indians hitting coach Derek Shelton didn’t mind getting a break when Cleveland’s scheduled game against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night was postponed by rain.
    No makeup date was announced and both managers said they would use Friday’s scheduled starters on Saturday. Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar (1-1) will oppose Cleveland left-hander C.C. Sabathia — weather permitting, of course. More rain is in the forecast.
    “We’ll just push everybody back one day,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “It is early in the season and I don’t think it’s a problem.”
    Cleveland hitters showed signs Thursday of breaking out of a funk that had dropped the team average to .248, 12th in the AL, but the Indians didn’t sound like they are concerned about the postponment hurting their offensive rhythm.
    “A one-day break is good, kind of welcome,” Shelton said after the game was called before it even started. “It’s when it hangs around and you don’t play for several days where it gets to be a problem. Guys lose their timing.
    “You can hit in the cages underneath, but it isn’t the same as being outdoors and it’s not like hitting in game situations.”