Royals vs Tigers: 6-3 Loss Drops KC To 3.5 Back In Wild Card

The Detroit Tigers (85-62) are a tough team to beat – on the road or at home. The Kansas City Royals (77-70) fell to the Tigers 6-3 on Friday night, dropping a 6-3 decision. The loss dropped the Royals to 3.5 back in the wild card race. The Royals were pummeled by the Tigers 16-2 last Friday night but bounced back to win the last two games of the series. They must do that again this weekend.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Bruce Chen just could not fool the tough Tiger hitters in this start. In just 4.2 innings, Chen was touched up for all six runs (1 unearned) on 7 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 3.

The Royals bullpen, as usual, was spectacular. Francisley Bueno, Louis Coleman, and Donnie Joseph not only pitched 3.2 scoreless frames but 3.2 perfect frames! These 3 struck out 7 total. If the Royals can stay close or get the lead, I would trust this bullpen against any team in baseball.

At the Plate

Kansas City out hit the Tigers 10-7 but could only push 3 runs across. The Royals left 8 on base and the Tigers just 3.

The most tense inning of the night for the Royals in the 8th inning. The Royals loaded with bases on 2 walks and a hit batsman. David Lough came to the plate with a chance to be a big hero. After taking 2 high, very borderline strikes, he struck out swinging on another high strike. Game over.

Salvador Perez banked 2 more hits and 2 more RBI in the game. Billy Butler and Alcides Escobar each had 2 hits as well.

This and That

Since seeing his bating average bottom out at .269 on August 22nd, Perez has been on fire in the three weeks since. Over his last 19 games, Perez’s slash line is terrific – .394/.417/.727/1.144! Whew! In those games, he has 6 home runs, 4 doubles, and 22 RBI in 72 plate appearances. His 6 round trippers have more than doubled his total previous to this hot streak. He is now up to 11 home runs and 69 RBI. Not coincidentally, the Royals are 12-7 in those games.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Our man, Salvador Perez is the stand out player, earning his 10th POG of the season.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 13
• Alex Gordon – 16
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 8
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 12
• Ervin Santana – 10
• Miguel Tejada – 5
• Jeremy Guthrie -6
• Eric Hosmer – 14
• Chris Getz – 3
• Mike Moustakas – 7
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson – 3
• David Lough – 8
• Alcides Escobar – 6
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen – 5
• Salvador Perez – 10
• Will Smith – 2
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
• Bruce Chen – 2
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland -2
• Danny Duffy – 2
  
• Luke Hochevar – 2

The Tigers

Justin Verlander was merely human on Friday, going 6.2 innings, allowing the 3 runs on 9 hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out 7. He was getting the benefit of the doubt most of the night from the umpire; several of his pitches that appeared outside the strike zone were called strikes. The Royals hurlers were getting no such calls.

Prince Fielder was the hitting star for the Tigers, going 2-4 with a home run, a run scored, and three RBI. His 2-run shot in the 5th broke open a tie game, then he added an RBI single in the 6th.

Up Next

Ervin Santana (8-9, 3.35 ERA) will try to shut down the Tigers on Saturday. Doug Fister will go for the Tigers (12-8, 3.77 ERA). Game time is at 6:08 CDT and will be broadcast nationally on the MLB Network.

AL Central Notes

Cleveland Indians (79-68): The Indians took care of business against the White Sox, winning 3-1. The Tribe used 8 pitchers to hold Chicago to 1 unearned run. Cleveland, with the easiest schedule down the stretch, will be a serious threat to make the playoffs. Currently, they are 1.5 games out.

Minnesota Twins (63-83): The Twins were shut out 3-0 by Chris Archer of the Rays. Archer had the help of three relief pitchers in the shutout. Minnesota only produced 5 hits in the game.

Chicago White Sox (58-89): Chicago out hit the Indians 9-7 but could only manage 1 unearned run Friday in their 3-1 loss. Alex Ramirez had 3 hits in the loss.