Kansas City, Mo. ? Michael Brantley and Carlos Santana each had an RBI single in the 11th inning, leading the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 victory over the sliding Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. Kansas City has lost three in a row to fall into a first-place tie with Detroit, which split a doubleheader at Chicago. Cleveland is just 3 1/2 back in the bunched AL Central.

The Royals got a run back in the bottom of the 11th when Salvador Perez’s two-out double scored Jarrod Dyson. But Erik Kratz struck out to end the game.

Jose Ramirez sparked Cleveland’s winning rally with a leadoff triple. Brantley followed with a base hit against Scott Downs (0-4).

Brantley then stole second and went to third on Perez’s throwing error before Santana singled into center field.

The Royals loaded the bases with one out in the 10th, but failed to score off Josh Tomlin (6-8). The reliever got Alcides Escobar to hit a grounder to third, forcing Perez at the plate. He then struck Jayson Nix, who was making his Royals debut.

The Royals went 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position and stranded 16 runners, twice leaving the bases loaded.

Cleveland grabbed a 1-0 lead when Yan Gomes doubled in Jason Kipnis in the fourth inning.

The Royals tied it in the eighth without the benefit of a hit.

Indians rookie Trevor Bauer pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings despite issuing five walks. He allowed four hits and struck out six. James Shields tossed seven innings of one-run ball for Kansas City.