DeRosa’s grand slam in seventh lifts Indians to 8-4 win against Royals

DeRosa’s slam gives Indians 8-4 win

CLEVELAND — Mark DeRosa’s grand slam off reliever Jamey Wright in the seventh inning led Cleveland to an 8-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night, lifting the Indians out of last place in the Central Division.

DeRosa hit the Indians’ third grand slam of the season and the fifth of his career.

Cleveland, which scored four runs each in the sixth and seventh innings, moved a half-game ahead of the Royals, who have lost 10 of their last 11 and 22 of their last 28.

Rafael Perez (1-1) pitched two-thirds of an inning for the win.

The Indians loaded the bases off Juan Cruz (3-2) in the seventh with a fielder’s choice, walk and a hit batsman. Cruz, who began the year as Kansas City’s top setup man, has allowed eight earned runs over his last three innings, spanning four appearances.

Wright relieved Cruz, and DeRosa hit his second pitch into the seats in right field for his 10th home run of the season.

A pair of Kansas City errors in the sixth allowed Cleveland to tie the score at 4. With runners at first and second, first baseman Billy Butler’s throwing error while trying to start a double play loaded the bases and ended starter Brian Bannister’s night.

Travis Hafner bounced to first off reliever John Bale, but catcher Miguel Olivo pulled his foot off the plate too quickly, allowing Victor Martinez to score. Instead of being out of the inning, the Indians later tied the game on a sacrifice fly and fielder’s choice.

Bannister was continuing his mastery of the Indians until his defense failed him. Bannister, 3-0 in five starts at Progressive Field and 4-1 in his career against the Indians, had allowed one baserunner to reach second base through the first five innings, but he failed to register an out in the sixth. Only one of the four runs charged to him was earned, giving him a career ERA of 2.34 against Cleveland.

Indians starter Cliff Lee allowed four runs and 11 hits in six innings. It is the most runs he has allowed since he surrendered four against Toronto on April 11 and the most hits he has given up since allowing 12 to Detroit on May 3.

Olivo and Willie Bloomquist, the Royals’ eighth and ninth hitters, went a combined 5 for 7 with a home run, three runs scored and four stolen bases. Bloomquist had three steals and Kansas City was 5 for 5 on the night.