Indians 5, Royals 3
Lonnie Chisenhall belted his first career grand slam in the sixth inning and starter Scott Kazmir worked into the seventh as host Cleveland claimed its third consecutive victory.
Jason Kipnis collected three hits and his sacrifice fly scored Michael Bourn in the third inning for the Indians, who will vie for the three-game sweep of their American League Central rival Sunday.
With Cleveland nursing a 1-0 advantage, Kipnis led off the sixth inning with a single and advanced to third on Michael Brantley's one-out double. Carlos Santana was intentionally walked by Jeremy Guthrie (8-7) before Chisenhall came up two batters later and launched a first-pitch curveball over the wall in right field for his sixth homer.
Alcides Escobar had a two-run single to highlight a three-run seventh inning for the Royals, who have mustered just eight runs during their four-game losing skid.
Kazmir (5-4) breezed into the seventh inning before departing with one out and was charged for two runs on four hits while striking out six. Three relievers bridged the gap to Chris Perez, who retired the side in order in the ninth for his 12th save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Chisenhall's grand slam was the second by the Indians this season. INF Mark Reynolds hit the first against the Chicago White Sox on April 13. ... Guthrie yielded five runs on eight hits in seven innings. ... Kansas City leadoff man LF Alex Gordon, who went 0-for-4 on Saturday, has one hit in his last 20 at-bats. C Salvador Perez went hitless in two at-bats and is 2-for-23.