Detroit Tigers Walk Off For Second Straight Game, Defeat Kansas City Royals 2-1

Apr 2, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) runs the bases after he hits a home run off Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jason Vargas (51) in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Looking for revenge after an Opening Day defeat, the Royal Base Ballers from Kansas’ City of Missouri dispatched journeyman starting pitcher Jason Vargas to face Max Scherzer, the refined (and gentlemanly) Cy Young Award winner of laud.

Scherzer, a native of the very state from which the visiting side hail, lived up to his split of the billing – retiring seven batters who didn’t so much as strike the ball – across eight frames of near-sweat less work. Only five batsmen reached the saftety of a base against the Detroit starter, four of which earned their station by means of a fairly-hit ball.

The scoreboard remained blank for the teams residing in both dugouts until inning number four when a curve-ball spun by Mr. Vargas ended up middle-middle over the dish. Ian Kinsler struck the sphere true for his first 360-foot jog as a member of the Detroit Tigers Base Ball Club.

The lead would not hold, however, as the Kansas City Royals would be able to scratch across a run against newly anointed closer Joe Nathan, who turns out to be less of a prophet that his surname suggests.

The home fans would not exit the venue in a foul disposition – and their supper would still be lukewarm and waiting – as only one additional frame would be needed to decide the contest.

Austin Jackson strolled to first base after reliever Tiny Tim Collins failed to offer him three hittable pitches. He was successfully bunted over to second by catcher Alex Avila, and then was able to sprint home several batters later when Ian Kinsler sprayed his third fair-hit of the afternoon. For the second time in as many attempts, the home side was able to immediately walk off the field as the champions of the day.

The Bengal Tigers remain unscathed in two tries for the newly-minted campaign. The Royal Blues from Kansas’ City of Missouri fall to naught and two.

Of note:

Manager Brad Ausmus protested two calls in this contest and was deemed to have better eyesight than the on-field umpires on both occasions.