Detroit Tigers Drop Series Opener to Kansas City Royals 5-1

Jul 29, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher

(35) looks on in the dugout during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers dropped the opening game of their series with the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on the night they released Dave Dombrowski and signed Al Avila to a 5-year contract as their GM. Justin Verlander was roughed up in the start as the Royals, especially Salvador Perez, capitalized on every one of his mistakes. His counterpart, Danny Duffy continued to baffle the Tigers as he wiggled his way in and out of jams as the game went on.

Both starters went 7 innings, but Duffy’s line was much cleaner as he pitched around his mistakes. He finished the night with a line of 7 IP, 5 H 1 R 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 K; while Verlander finished with a line of 7 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 5 K.

The Royals got the scoring started in the top of the 2^nd. Eric Hosmer singled on a line drive to center field to lead off the inning. He moved up to second on a single from Mike Moustakas, and scored on a single from Perez to give the Royals the 1-0 lead.

They then extended their lead in the 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th innings. In the 4^th, Hosmer singled to lead off the inning once again and came home on a Perez two out, two run home run. In the 5^th, noted high fastball hitter, Omar Infante, hit a high fastball for a double to lead off the inning. He came around to score after a sacrifice bunt from Alcides Escobar and a sacrifice fly from Ben Zobrist to extend the lead to 4-0. The Royals finished their scoring in the top of the 6^th as Kendrys Morales singled, Perez singled, and Rios doubled to score Morales.

The Tigers cut into the lead in the bottom of the 6^th as Ian Kinsler walked and stole second base in front of a Victor Martinez single to plate Kinsler.

Both bullpens held serve with shutout 8^th and 9^th innings as the game ended 5-1.

These two teams will face off again Wednesday night as two newly acquired pitchers will make starts for their respective teams. The second piece of the David Price trade, Matt Boyd, who is 9-2 with a 1.65 ERA and a 0.855 ERA in the minors this season, will start for the Tigers. Boyd will be opposed by Johnny Cueto will make his second start for the Royals. He is 7-6 with a 2.70 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in 20 starts this season.