CLEVELAND (AP) — Matt LaPorta’s three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning gave Cleveland its 12th home win its last at-bat Saturday, 5-2 over the Kansas City Royals.
That wasn’t the only drama. In San Diego, Colorado Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez said he had been traded to the Indians shortly after he was pulled from his start against the Padres.
LaPorta connected off Royals closer Joakim Soria (5-4) on a 1-1 pitch. It was Soria’s sixth blown save in 25 changes.
Tony Sipp (6-2) pitched the top of the ninth.
Soria hit Asdrubal Cabrera in the right foot with a pitch and Travis Hafner bounced into a forceout and was replaced by pinch runner Orlando Cabrera at first base. Carlos Santana then doubled down the third-base line to put runners on second and third.
Kosuke Fukudome, acquired for two minor-leaguers on Thursday from the Chicago Cubs, hit a sacrifice fly to tie it at 2 before Lonnie Chisenhall walked and LaPorta delivered his 10th homer, a line shot just over the wall in left.
Chris Getz singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth for Kansas City.
Masterson left after yielding a leadoff single to Jeff Francoeur in the ninth after the Indians tied the score in the eighth.
Francoeur stole second, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Moustakas and one out later scored on Getz’s single off reliever Tony Sipp that fell safely in right center.
Cleveland, hitless into the fifth, scored in the eighth to tie it at 1. Chisenhall drew a 12-pitch walk from Tim Collins, moved up on a passed ball and scored on Michael Brantley’s two-out ground single to right off Aaron Crow on a full count. Chisenhall slid in ahead of the tag by catcher Brayan Pena, who entered in the sixth when Matt Treanor left with a concussion after tagging out Matt LaPorta trying to score.
The Indians had not scored since getting an unearned run in the first inning Wednesday, when they were no-hit by Ervin Santana of the Los Angeles Angels.
Royals starter Felipe Paulino held Cleveland to four hits over six innings. The right-hander walked two and struck out four, including the side in the first inning on 15 pitches.
Kansas City took a quick 1-0 lead against Masterson. Alex Gordon opened the game with a walk, went to third on a double by Melky Cabrera and scored on a one-out groundout to second by Eric Hosmer.
Treanor was hurt keeping it scoreless in the sixth. LaPorta doubled and took third on a sharp single to center by No. 9 hitter Ezequiel Carrera.
LaPorta was thrown out trying to score on a fly ball to left by Brantley. Alex Gordon’s throw home was in time and LaPorta bowled over Treanor at the plate. He hung on to the ball, but laid motionless, face down in the dirt. He was taken to a hospital for a CT scan and will be placed on the seven-day concussion list.
The Indians, no-hit by the Angels’ Ervin Santana on Wednesday and beaten by the Royals 12-0 Friday, were hitless again until Carlos Santana doubled. He was stranded as Paulino quickly got the next two batters.
It was yet another tough-luck outing for Masterson, 3-6 since May 12. The right-hander fell has allowed two runs or fewer in 10 of his last 11 starts since June 8.
He didn’t get much offense, but rookie second baseman Jason Kipnis made a fine play to start a nifty double play in the sixth. Kipnis snagged Moustakas’ sharp grounder with a dive toward first base. He spun and threw to shortstop Cabrera, who came across the bag and threw to first to complete the inning-ending gem.
Notes: Gordon’s assist was his 17th this season, tying a Royals record for outfielders. ... Indians manager Manny Acta said he expects RHP Carlos Carrasco to be fined, but is not sure a suspension is warranted for his ejection Friday after throwing at the head of Royals slugger Billy Butler. ... The Royals’ 12-0 win Friday was their largest road shutout in history, in the team’s 3,389th game outside Kansas City, according to Elias Sports Bureau. ... The Royals are the majors’ youngest team, with a roster average of 26 years, 350 days. The Indians are next at 27 years, 210 days.