The easy explanation for the 60th loss of this Royals season was a grand slam by Cleveland's Yan Gomes.
But a series of smaller self-inflicted blows preceding the blast proved damaging to the Royals in a 6-4 defeat at Kauffman Stadium.
After a laborious start, Royals' left-hander Danny Duffy retired 14 of 16 batters when he carried a 4-2 lead into the sixth inning. But designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion drew a walk on five pitches to open the frame and right fielder Brandon Guyer was slightly grazed by a 2-2 pitch.
First baseman Yonder Alonzo then hit a ground ball to the right of shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, whose throw to second was a fraction late.