Sizemore saves Cleveland in K.C.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Grady Sizemore homered twice and made a game-saving catch for the final out, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 5-4 victory over Kansas City on Friday night and handing the Royals their 12th straight loss.

Cliff Lee (8-1) moved into a tie for the AL lead in victories despite an off night. He allowed four runs and 10 hits in six innings. His ERA crept up from 1.50 to 1.88, still good enough to lead the league.

Kansas City blew a 4-1 lead, committed a costly base-running blunder and was robbed by Sizemore in the ninth. The star center fielder hauled in Jose Guillen’s liner with the tying run on second in the ninth and held on after he crashed into the wall, ending the game.

Casey Blake hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Brett Tomko (2-7) in the sixth for the Indians, who had lost 10 of 12 heading into their season-high 11-game road trip.

The Royals’ worst mistake came in the fifth. With Joey Gathright on second and David DeJesus on first, Esteban German singled to right with two outs. DeJesus, after making a wide turn at second, tried to come back to the bag but was tagged out by shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

Plate umpire Brian Runge waved off what would have been the fifth and tying run, saying Gathright touched the plate a split second after Peralta tagged DeJesus.

Indians put Hafner on DL

Cleveland designated hitter Travis Hafner, after taking a few practice swings, was sent home Friday and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder.

Hafner, who is hitting only .217 with four home runs, has been bothered by the shoulder since spring training. He hasn’t played since Sunday.