The Detroit Tigers wiped out a six-run barrage by the Kansas City Royals, but the Royals would come back in the sixth to post a 10-8 victory Sunday, Aug. 24 at Comerica Park, denying the AL Central-leading Tigers a sweep.
Detroit led early with a solo home run in the second by Riley Greene, his 31st of the year. The Royals tied the game in the third when Mike Yastrzemski doubled home Luke Maile, then came home on Bobby Witt Junior’s single. Vinnie Pasquantino then delivered a two-run blast to right field for his sixth straight game with a home run. The Royals weren’t done in the third, as Salvador Perez brought home Maikel Garcia on a double, then scored on an RBI double by Adam Frazier that turned into a three-base play after a fielding error by Jahmai Jones.
However, Jones would tag starter Seth Lugo with three runs, clearing the bases with a double in the fourth. Lugo would end up with a no-decision, after a home run in the fifth by Wenceel Pérez and a single to Kerry Carpenter ended his afternoon. Angel Zerpa inherited the base-runner, who would score from first on Dillon Dingler’s double to tie the game. A leaping Garcia could only deflect Zach McKinstry’s liner to left, allowing Dingler to score and take the lead.
The Royals then chased Detroit starter Jack Flaherty in the top of the sixth with a single by Adam Frazier and double by Jonathan India. Kyle Isbel put the Royals up for good with a single to left field, fittingly deflected by McKinstry. Isbel would score the game winner on a wild pitch by Tyler Holton. Both teams exchanged solo home runs in the seventh, with Garcia scoring for the Royals and Spencer Torkelson again going yard.
John Schreiber struck out three of the four batters he faced in relief to earn his third win of the year, while starter Lugowas tagged with six runs on six hits and two walks, striking out five in four-and-a-third innings. Flaherty took his 13th loss of the year, allowing eight runs on ten hits with three strikeouts in just over five innings pitched. Carlos Estévez picked up his 34th save of the year.
The Royals improve to 67-64, 10.5 games behind the Tigers. Heading into Sunday night, the Royals were three games behind the Yankees and Mariners for the third wild card spot, with the Yankees playing Boston. KC now visit the Chicago White Sox for the start of a three-game series. Noah Cameron will take the mound Monday evening, with first pitch at 6:40 p.m. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. on KMMO-FM 102.9.