Hunter Dozier belted a grand slam to highlight a five-run uprising in the ninth inning as the visiting Kansas City Royals recorded an 8-6 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.

Brad Hand (4-3), who converted all 22 of his previous save opportunities this season, surrendered five hits and five runs on 13 pitches without retiring a batter in the ninth inning to turn Cleveland's three-run lead into a two-run deficit.

Nicky Lopez's infield single plated Martin Maldonado to trim Kansas City's deficit to 6-4 before the Royals loaded the bases for Dozier, who deposited a first-pitch slider over the wall in left-center field.

The late uprising allowed Kevin McCarthy (2-1) to pick up the win after retiring all three batters he faced in the eighth inning. Ian Kennedy struck out two in the ninth inning to record his 10th save.

Whit Merrifield ripped a two-run double and Lucas Duda drove in a run for the Royals, who improved to 4-1 against the Indians this season.

Cleveland appeared poised to win its fifth in a row overall after Roberto Perez and Mike Freeman launched back-to-back homers to open the fifth inning and Tyler Naquin belted a two-run shot in the sixth.

Carlos Santana staked the Indians to a 6-3 lead with a solo blast in the seventh inning, his team-leading 18th homer and his fourth in the past six games.

After Kansas City forged a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning, Cleveland answered in the bottom of the frame by belting back-to-back homers for the fifth time this season.

Perez sent a 3-2 fastball from Glenn Sparkman over the wall in right field for his career-high 14th homer and 11th in 29 games. Freeman wasted little time giving the Indians a 3-2 lead by launching a 1-1 changeup into the seats in right for his second of the season.

The Royals rebounded in the top of the sixth inning, as Duda greeted Tyler Olson with an RBI double to plate Cheslor Cuthbert from first base to tie the game at 3.

--Field Level Media