Detroit Tigers fall to Kansas City Royals 6-1

The Detroit Tigers struggles continued as they fell 6-1 to the Kansas City Royals as the offense struggled to produce.

Unfortunately, the Detroit Tigers fell to the Kansas City Royals 6-1 in the middle game of their three-game set. Justin Verlander and Danny Duffy provided the pitcher’s duel that fans hoped for on paper. Mistakes just kept happening to the Tigers and the Royals capitalized on them.

Verlander’s start was reminiscent of the one against Cleveland, just without the one inning barrage of home runs. Since he did not suffer that inning, Verlander made it to the eighth where he loaded the bases.

His final line was 7+ IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. The only mistakes he made were the first three hits he surrendered which were home runs. He looked strong outside of the home runs and an error opened the door for damage in the eighth.

The Injuries are Hurting the Detroit Tigers

It’s clear that Tigers are currently dealing with injuries to Miguel Cabrera, Nick Castellanos, Jose Iglesias, and Cameron Maybin. The Tigers fielded their C team lineup that struggled once again to score runs.

The Royals got on the board first in this game. In the top of the third. Raul Mondesi hit his first career home run into the seats in right field to give the Royals the 1-0 lead. 

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In the top of the fifth, the Royals added to their lead. Alex Gordon, who has struggled for power since his multiple injuries, deposited a home run to right field to stretch the lead to 2-0.

The, the Tigers cut into the Royals lead in the bottom of the fifth. Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a home run to center field to halve the lead at 2-1.

Defensive Errors Got in the Way

Verlander was strong through the sixth, but surrendered another mistake to a lefty in the seventh. Eric Hosmer continued his career success against Verlander, hitting a solo home run to center field.

The Royals then got to Verlander in the eighth thanks to Tigers’ mistakes. Saltalamacchia made an error on a ground ball from Gordon to lead off the inning. Alcides Escobar then singled and Mondesi walked to load the bases.

Bruce Rondon inherited a jam and almost got out of it, but the Royals struck. Rondon struck out Paulo Orlando. Ian Kinsler then dropped a fly ball that turned into a fielder’s choice to net one run. Lorenzo Cain then doubled home a run to give the Royals the 5-1 lead. Kendrys Morales then added to the Royals’ lead in the ninth with a home run off of Mark Lowe.

Next: Detroit Tigers: Calling Out Justin Upton

These two teams will finish their series Wednesday night at 7:10. Yordano Ventura will toe the slab for the Royals who are looking to complete the sweep. He will face Anibal Sanchez who is looking to find consistent strong starts.