KANSAS CITY -- Veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson has a knack for delivering when the bases are loaded.
Granderson launched his 10th career grand slam in the fourth inning on Wednesday to cap a five-run Blue Jays rally against Royals right-hander Jorge Lopez.
With one run in, Toronto had the bases loaded and nobody out in a 2-2 game. Lopez made a bid to escape without further damage when he retired Luke Maile on a strikeout and got Richard Urena to pop out to third. But Granderson's towering drive into the right-field bullpen gave the Jays a 6-2 lead. Granderson's blast proved to be the difference, as the Blue Jays held on for a 6-5 victory.
"It's awesome," Granderson said. "You never envision a grand slam is going to happen because everything has to line up for it. I wound up getting a pitch I could handle and got just enough of it to get it out of here."
Granderson is now tied with Adrian Beltre for fifth place in grand slams among active players. Only Jose Pujols (14), Robinson Cano, Edwin Encarnacion and Brian McCann (all with 11) have more.