CLEVELAND (AP) Brad Hands sublime season came to stunning end.
For once, the Royals mustered some late-game magic.
Hunter Doziers grand slam capped Kansas Citys five-run rally in the ninth inning off Hand, Clevelands previously perfect All-Star closer, as the Royals rallied for an 8-6 win over the Indians on Tuesday night.
Hand (4-3) had been 22 for 22 in save chances and is likely on his way to being selected to represent the Indians when they host the All-Star game at Progressive Field next month.
But the left-hander did not record an out against the Royals, who entered the ninth down 6-3 before storming back.
It was a fun comeback, said Royals manager Ned Yost. It was an uplifting comeback. We always come to this place and its just a handful for us here in Cleveland every time, I dont know why. Id much rather play them at our park, but it is always a handful. To battle back and take this one here was nice.
The Royals had been 0-42 when trailing after eight innings before recording their biggest ninth-inning comeback in two years.
Nicky Lopez had an RBI infield single before Kansas City loaded the bases and Dozier connected on Hands first pitch a slider for his first career grand slam and 13th homer.
Yeah, said Dozier, downplaying his big moment. That was really cool.
Hand looked shaky from the outset, and was pulled after allowing five hits in just 13 pitches.
He just proved hes human, Indians manager Terry Francona said. He had been pretty much flawless. It hurts to lose a game, but to expect somebody to never give up runs is not realistic.
Hand offered no excuses, saying he wasnt tired despite pitching five times in the past six days.
I felt physically good, he said. Id let him (Francona) know if something felt tired or whatever, but I felt good, just didnt make some pitches. I got ahead, was trying to bury a few sliders and left them up. Sometimes when you throw too many strikes, it comes back to hurt you. Just got ahead of a few of those batters and made some mistakes.
Kevin McCarthy (2-1) pitched the eighth and stumbled into a win, and Ian Kennedy worked the ninth for his 10th save, striking out Carlos Santana with a runner at second for the final out.
Tyler Naquin hit a two-run homer and Santana, Roberto Perez and Mike Freeman had solo shots for the Indians, who were three outs away from their fifth straight win before Hand imploded.
