Cleveland ? It’s now much more than a fast start. It’s one of the best the Cleveland Indians have ever had.

“It’s real cool,” shortstop Omar Vizquel said after the Indians extended their winning streak to nine games Friday night with a 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. “If it’s not the pitching, then it’s the defense or the hitting. Everything is clicking.”

Kansas City's Mike Sweeney runs toward first base after Cleveland catcher Einar Diaz dropped a third strike. Sweeney was out on the play, and the Indians defeated the Royals, 3-1, on Friday night at Cleveland.

Vizquel and Jim Thome each homered for the second straight game, C.C. Sabathia beat the Royals again as the Indians improved to 10-1 tying the best start in the club’s 102-year history.

Cleveland also opened the 1959 and 1966 seasons by winning 10 of their first 11.

“I couldn’t imagine 10-1,” Indians manager Charlie Manuel said. “I thought if we played .500 in the first month we’d be OK. I really don’t want to talk about it. I just want to come out and play tomorrow.”

Sabathia (2-0), who earned four of his 17 victories as a rookie last season in five starts against Kansas City, overcame some early control problems and struck out nine in six innings.

Using a nasty curveball that seemed to surprise the Royals, Sabathia allowed five singles, walked four and was just good enough as the Indians won despite getting just five hits and making two errors.

“It seems like we’re getting the big hits when we need them,” said Thome. “And we’re getting great pitching. We’ve had some great streaks around here and this is a pretty good one, too.”

Sabathia continued an impressive run by Cleveland’s starters, who raised their record to 10-0 with a 3.19 ERA.

The Indians’ relievers haven’t been too bad, either.

Mark Wohlers stuck out Mike Sweeney with two on to end the seventh, Paul Shuey worked a perfect eighth and Bob Wickman finished up the combined five-hitter for his fifth save.

Chuck Knoblauch set a career-high with four steals for the Royals, who came in at .500 (4-4) for the first time since June 20, 2000, but couldn’t stop the Indians.

“Cleveland is riding a good time right now, enjoying themselves,” said Kansas City manager Tony Muser. “They’ve got a little momentum going and they’re not going to slow down until somebody outpitches them.”

Thome’s third homer in three games gave the Indians a 2-1 lead in the fourth off Jeff Suppan (1-1).

Ellis Burks singled with one out, and Thome followed with a towering shot to right that was helped over the wall by a stiff wind blowing across Jacobs Field.

Vizquel, who hit a three-run shot against Minnesota on Thursday night, made it 3-1 in the sixth by hitting an 0-2 pitch into the Royals’ bullpen in right. It was Vizquel’s second homer in five at-bats. Last season, he needed 693 plate appearances to hit two homers.

“I know that’s not my game,” Vizquel said. “I might bunt four times tomorrow.”

After being shut out by the first two left-handed starters Minnesota’s Eric Milton and Chicago’s Mark Buehrle they faced this season, the Royals scored a run in the first off Sabathia, who needed 32 pitches to get out of the inning.

Knoblauch walked and stole second. He then stole third and scored on catcher Einar Diaz’s throwing error.

Sabathia walked the bases loaded, but escaped more trouble by striking out rookie Brandon Berger and Dave McCarty.

Notes: Cleveland won 10 straight last year. The Indians have twice won 13 in a row (1942, ’51). … The Royals, who came in leading the majors in steals, swiped 14 in a row before Sweeney got thrown out by Diaz at second in the fifth. … Indians RHP Jaret Wright, sidelined with a sore shoulder, has completed the initial phase of his throwing program in Winter Haven, Fla., and is expected to throw his first bullpen session in early May. … Cleveland has homered in all 11 games. … Sabathia is 5-0 with a 1.56 ERA in six starts vs. Kansas City. … Royals RHP Nate Field made his major league debut in the eighth.