Matt LaPorta's first career grand slam stakes Indians to early 5-0 lead against Kansas City.
Updated: 11:32 p.m.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Indians lead the Royals 5-4 Saturday night with the game delayed by rain headed into the seventh inning.
Slam city: Matt LaPorta gave the Indians a 5-0 lead with a his first career grand slam with two out in the fourth. LaPorta, in an 0-for-15 slump, hammered a 2-1 fastball from Sean O'Sullivan over the fence in center field for his 11th homer.
It was the Indians second slam in as many games and the seventh this season.
Michael Brantley, following a two minute rain delay, opened the fourth with a single. It extended his hitting streak to 18 straight games. It's the longest by an Indians rookie since Hall of Famer Larry Doby hit in 21 straight in 1948. It's the longest by an Indian of any status since Casey Blake hit in 26 straight in 2007.
Singles by Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo gave the Indians a 1-0 lead. Choo's single gave him eight RBI in the last two games. Shelley Duncan's single past third loaded the bases for LaPorta.
Rain, rain go away: The game has been delayed four times by rain. The delays have lasted 36 minutes, two minutes and 1 hour and 23 minutes. The fourth delay is still in progress.
Masterson update: Justin Masterson, making what could be his last appearance of the season, gave up a leadoff single to Jarrod Dyson before retiring nine straight. After the Indians long fourth inning, he gave up singles to Mike Aviles and Billy Butler to start the fourth, but Wilson Betemit hit into a force play at third.
Play was stopped with a 2-2 count on Josh Fields as the umpires called for the tarp.
Warnings: After play resumed, plate umpire Mike Estabrook warned the teams after Choo was hit in the fifth and Justin Germano responded by hitting Lucas May to start the Royals half of the fifth.
Gerrmano quickly went off the tracks. He gave up two-run homers to Jai Miller and Mike Aviles to cut the Tribe's lead to 5-4 before getting through the fifth to make game official.
He retired the side in order in the sixth just in time to have the game stopped for a fourth time.
The line: The starting pitchers did not return after play resumed following a 1 hour and 23 minute delay. Masterson pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits, struck out four and didn't walk a batter. O'Sullivan allowed five runs on six hits in four innings.