CLEVELAND, Ohio — Through the first five batters of the fourth inning Friday night, Indians right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez still searched. He appeared to be headed to another disappointing start since the Indians acquired him from Colorado for their two best pitching prospects and three others on July 30.

Then it hap pened. Jimenez began to command his fastball and unleash filthy splitters, and the result was a strong resemblance to the pitcher who dominated the National League in the first half of 2010.

Jimenez retired 11 of the last 12 batters faced in a 2-1 victory over the Royals at Progressive Field.

Jimenez allowed the one run on seven hits and struck out 10 in seven innings as the Indians moved back to .500 at 64-64.

Paid attendance was 41,337 -- the Tribe's fourth sellout. The man the crowd so desperately wanted to see succeed, Jim Thome, went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Thome, acquired from Minnesota on Thursday night, was the designated hitter and batted cleanup.

Thome played in his first game for the Tribe since the end of the 2002 season, after which he signed with Philadelphia as a free agent. The Indians sold 8,532 tickets after the trade was announced.

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"It's exciting when you get a crowd like that," Jimenez said. "They were here for Jim Thome, and that was great. It makes you want to do things better."

Perhaps Jimenez, who lugged a 1-1 record and 7.29 ERA into his fifth start with the Tribe, was too amped in the early innings. Or perhaps his mechanics simply remained out of whack. Whatever the case, he found himself trailing, 1-0, with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth.

Once Jimenez got Chris Getz to pop to second and dangerous lefty Alex Gordon to pop to short, he was on his way.

"The second part of the game, Ubaldo really got into a groove," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "You can tell this guy has swing-and-miss stuff."

The 10 strikeouts are a season-high for Jimenez and the most by an Indians starter since Justin Masterson fanned 12 White Sox on Sept. 30, 2009. Jimenez owns 11 career double-digit strikeout games.

Jimenez improved to 2-1 with a 5.79 ERA for Cleveland, including 2-0 with one earned run allowed in 15 innings of two home starts.

"I feel better," he said. "It takes a lot of pressure off. I came to a new team that was fighting for the playoffs. If you don't do well, you feel really bad."

The Royals are 54-78 but dangerous. They were coming off a solid series offensively in Toronto. But their only run against Jimenez came on a homer by Eric Hosmer leading off the fourth.

Kansas City right-hander Felipe Paulino, purchased from the Rockies for cash considerations in late May, carried a four-hitter into the seventh. With one out, he walked Carlos Santana and gave up a single to Kosuke Fukudome. Santana stopped at second.

After Shelley Duncan whiffed, Jack Hannahan delivered a single to center in an 0-2 count. Santana made a terrific slide around the attempted tag of catcher Salvador Perez. Santana slapped the plate with his hand.

"Carlos is very athletic, and that was a very good slide," Acta said.

No. 9 batter Lou Marson walked. Royals manager Ned Yost hooked Paulino for lefty Tim Collins, who fell behind lefty Ezequiel Carrera, 3-1. Carrera fouled off two pitches before taking a fastball low to push across the go-ahead run.

"[Ezequiel] swung 2-1 and 3-1; I think the crowd got him overly pumped up," Acta said. "But he got the walk. That's the main thing."

Vinnie Pestano relieved Jimenez to begin the eighth. Pestano plunked Billy Butler to open the inning, but got Hosmer to line to center and Jeff Francoeur to ground into a 5-4-3 double play.

Chris Perez worked the ninth for his 28th save. He needed to strand a runner at third to do so.

Mike Moustakas led off with a single. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a fly to right. Getz lined to right fielder Shin-Soo Choo to end it.

In the bottom of the first, Carrera led off with a walk. Cord Phelps grounded to Hosmer, who stepped on the bag and triggered a 3-6-1-4 double play. Carrera stayed in the rundown for about 10 seconds.

The Royals threatened in the second. Francoeur led off with a double. With one out, Francoeur attempted to steal third but was erased by a terrific throw from Marson and swipe tag from Hannahan.

Kansas City entered Friday leading the American League with 124 steals.

The Indians finally made noise in the fifth. After called strikeouts of Thome and Santana, Paulino gave up singles to Fukudome and Shelley Duncan. Hannahan singled to left, where Gordon fielded cleanly and threw out Fukudome with room to spare.

Why the Indians continue to test Gordon -- no matter the situation -- is a mystery. Gordon extended his single-season club record with his 20th outfield assist, part of the Royals' major-league-leading 44. The Royals have thrown out 22 runners at the plate, also tops in the majors.

The Indians own 31 comeback victories.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664

On Twitter: @dmansworld

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