The release came in the bottom of the fifth on Sunday, two outs in the inning, the bottom of the lineup set to bat against Indians starter Danny Salazar.
For four-plus innings, the Royals hammered away at Salazar to little effect, rapping out 10 hits while producing just three runs. For two days, they had been outclassed by a first-place team.
And when Mike Moustakas struck out for the second out in the fifth, leaving Eric Hosmer standing at first, it appeared the offense might strand another runner on base. Moments later, Jorge Bonifacio dug in at the plate, and a victory took shape.