Major League Baseball

Dyson slam, Royals rally after Kluber cramps up, top Indians

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:46 p.m. ET

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Once Corey Kluber limped to the trainer's room, the Kansas City Royals broke loose against the Cleveland bullpen.

Jarrod Dyson hit a grand slam that capped a seven-run rally in the eighth inning and the Royals took advantage after Kluber cramped up, topping the Indians 7-3 Monday night.

Kluber scattered five hits and took the mound to begin the eighth with a 2-0 lead. But manager Terry Francona and trainer James Quinlan came from the dugout and pulled Kluber before he could throw a pitch.

Kluber was suffering from a right calf cramp with the temperature at 90 degrees and the heat index 99 at the start of the game.

''I don't think cramps are serious, but I don't know how he's going to push off the rubber,'' Francona said.

With Kluber out, the Royals roughed up relievers Bryan Shaw and Jeff Manship. Alcides Escobar and Eric Hosmer began the eighth with singles and both scored on Christian Colon's pinch-hit double.

''Soon as Escobar got that infield single, I turned to Wak (bench coach Don Wakamatsu) and said, `This is how it starts for us, especially at home,''' Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Colon hit for Kendrys Morales, who had fouled a pitch off his right foot. X-rays were negative, detecting only a bruise. Colon squared around to bunt on the first two pitches, both balls. Colon then drove the next pitch to deep center tying it at 2.

''I was trying to bunt the first couple,'' Colon said. ''I think the situation presented itself ... I tried to get the bunt down but those guys were crashing in. We're always talking about the situations of the game. We've got to play aggressive and have to make things happen. That's what makes this ballclub so good. We don't play scared.''

With two outs, Shaw (1-4) walked Alex Gordon and Cheslor Cuthbert. Manship was summoned to face Paulo Orlando, who hit a go-ahead single. Whit Merrifield walked to load the bases before Dyson cleared them with his first career grand slam and his first home run of the season.

''I let the whole team down,'' Manship said. ''I let Corey down, Brian down, giving up his runs. That stinks, for sure. I definitely feel sick to my stomach for how that went.''

Will the Indians be playing Dyson deeper Tuesday?

''No, because it's an accident,'' Dyson said. ''I knew it was gone. It felt great off the bat. They don't happen to me very often, so I take advantage of that.''

Kluber, tagged by the Royals for eight runs in five innings on June 15 at Kauffman Stadium, struck out eight and walked three in shutting them down. He has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his past five starts.

Francisco Lindor, who is hitting .439 with three home runs against the Royals this season, homered off Edinson Volquez in the first inning.

Luke Hochevar (2-2) worked a scoreless eighth to pick up the victory. After Chris Young gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth, Wade Davis was called to get the final out, logging his 20th save in 22 chances.

ROYAL CLAIM TEPESCH

The Royals claimed RHP Nick Tepesch, a Kansas City native and a Missouri alum, off waivers from Oakland and optioned him to Triple-A Omaha. The Royals are his fourth organization this year. The other two are Texas and Los Angeles, making one big league start for the Dodgers. He is 8-3 with a 3.96 in 17 minor league starts this year.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: C Yan Gomez was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder separation and is expected to be out six to eight weeks. C Roberto Perez, who has right thumb surgery in May, came off the DL and started. . RHP Zach McAllister (right hip discomfort) made a rehab appearance Monday for Triple-A Columbus, allowing one hit and no runs in one inning against Louisville.

Royals: RHP Kris Medlen (rotator cuff inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day DL. . OF Lorenzo Cain (strained left hamstring) took fly balls in right field in pregame drills. ''He's much better today than he was yesterday, but still not quite there,'' Yost said.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Danny Salazar, who tops the American League with a 2.75 ERA, will start the middle game of the series.

Royals: LHP Brian Flynn makes his first start since Aug. 7, 2014, while with the Marlins. He is 1-0 with a 2.39 ERA in 13 relief appearances.

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