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Each team issues challenge; only Royals are successful

KANSAS CITY -- Each manager issued a challenge in the Indians-Royals game Tuesday night, but only one was successful.

The challenge won by the Royals led to a four-run third inning that was crucial in their 9-5 victory over the Indians.

With one out and Mike Moustakas on second and Alcides Escobar at first, Jarrod Dyson's ground ball was fielded by second baseman Jason Kipnis. The throw to Asdrubal Cabrera skipped off the shortstop's glove but umpire Marvin Hudson ruled Escobar out at second on a force play. He signaled that Cabrera held the ball long enough for the out.

Not even Indians manager Terry Francona agreed with that.

"I didn't think he caught it," Francona said. "When you give team's extra chances, or extra opportunities, especially against the middle of the order, sometimes you pay a price for it."

The Indians did pay a price. Royals manager Ned Yost was quick to challenge and the replay officials in New York were quick to agree with him. The decision was overturned, Escobar was safe, Cabrera was charged with an error and the Royals had the bases loaded.

Omar Infante followed with a looping single to center for one run. Eric Hosmer grounded to first, for what would have been the third out, as a second run scored. Billy Butler followed with a two-run single to right before the inning ended.

"Big, it got us three runs. If we don't win that challenge, we lose out on three extra runs," Yost said. "It looked to me from the dugout that Cabrera didn't have control of it. . . . It worked out really good for us."

Francona issued his own challenge in the top of the eighth, but lost.

The Indians skipper challenged first base umpire Corey Blaser's ruling that Hosmer beat David Murphy to the bag on a ground ball.

Replay officials in New York confirmed Blaser's call.

Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com.Jackson Alexander is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals