CLEVELAND, July 30 (UPI) -- Matt LaPorta blasted a game-winning, three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth Saturday, rallying the Cleveland Indians to a 5-2 victory over Kansas City.
Trailing 2-1 coming into their final at-bat, the Indians stunned the Royals with four runs to emerge victorious and move to within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.
With one out and pinch-runner Orlando Cabrera on first, Carlos Santana doubled off Royals closer Joakim Soria (5-4) and newly acquired Kosuke Fukudome then lofted a sacrifice fly to tie the score.
After Larry Chisenhall walked, LaPorta pulled a 1-1 pitch down the left field line that barely cleared the wall, handing Cleveland a comeback win.
Tony Sipp (6-2) earned the victory after a scoreless top of the ninth in relief of Justin Masterson, who had yielded two runs on nine hits over eight innings.
Royals starter Felipe Paulino threw six shutout frames, scattering four hits, walking two and fanning four.
Eric Hosmer and Chris Getz collected RBIs for Kansas City.
