Detroit Tigers Escape With 3-2 Win Against Royals

Detroit Tigers fans sweated one out as the team beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 Wednesday night, thanks to Jordan Zimmermann. Francisco Rodriguez ultimately closed it out.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann continued his brilliance since joining the team staff this offseason, as he battled Royals hitters all night long before being taken out in 7th with two runners on base and one out. Before being taken out he had struck out 8 while allowing 7 hits on 105 pitches. Reliever Mark Lowe came in to end the threat thanks to the defensive help of Jose Iglesias, and Zimmermanns’s season ERA remains at 0.00.

The Tigers made it 1-0 in the 2nd inning when Ian Kinsler hit a fly ball to deep center over the head of Lorenzo Cain to score Jarrod Saltalamacchia from third base. Had it not been for a putrid base running error by Iglesias, the Tigers should have easily added another run. He would redeem himself later in the field by helping out with some stellar defensive plays.

Fortunately, things got a little shaky for Royals starter Ian Kennedy in the 6th inning. After hitting Kinsler and allowing a single to Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez smacked a single through the left center of the infield to drive home Kinsler putting the Tigers up 2-0. The RBI was the 1,000th of Victor’s career. 

Kennedy went out for the 7th inning but didn’t last, however the Royals bullpen kept the score at 2-0.

In the 9th inning, Detroit added some insurance. The two-man wrecking crew consisting of Kinsler and Saltalamacchia added what would end up being the game winning third run when Salty doubled and Kinsler brought him home for his second RBI of the game.

Closer Francisco Rodriguez allowed the Royals to make a comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Alex Gordon homered to right-center making it 3-1.

The following batter, Salvador Perez, made it 3-2 when he drove another home run to left field putting the pressure on the Tigers slow-pitch closer. Rodriguez somehow managed to get the final 2 outs and recorded another nerve-wracking save.

Next: Which Teams Will the Tigers Play the Rest of April?

Thursday night the Detroit Tigers send Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 2.79 ERA) out against Edinson Volquez (2-0, 2.04 ERA) as they close out the series in Kansas City before heading home to face the Cleveland Indians on Friday.