Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers Match Player Stats On Jun 27, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Jun 27, 2017

DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera ripped a three-run homer and Justin Verlander recorded his first victory since May 20 as the Detroit Tigers topped the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Tuesday at Comerica Park.

Cabrera, moved into the cleanup spot for the first time this season, hit his ninth home run of the season in the third inning and it proved to be the game-winner. J.D. Martinez added a solo homer and reached base three times for Detroit.

Mikie Mahtook added two hits and a run scored for the Tigers (34-42), who won their second straight following an eight-game losing streak.

Verlander (5-4) gave up three first-inning runs, then settled in and tossed six strong innings.

Verlander, who struck out six while matching a season high by going seven innings in the opener of a 10-game Detroit homestand, had a loss and five no-decisions in his previous six outings. Justin Wilson recorded his seventh save, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Salvador Perez drove in two runs for the Royals (37-38). Starter Matt Strahm (2-5) lasted only 3 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits.

The Royals started the game with five consecutive hits to take a 3-0 lead. Whit Merrifield led off with a ground-rule double and scored on Jorge Bonifacio's single. The next three batters also singled, capped by Perez's bloop that plated two runs.

The Tigers got one of those runs back in the second on Martinez's leadoff homer to left.

Detroit moved ahead with Cabrera's two-out, three-run blast to right field in the third. Ian Kinsler's two-out RBI single in the fourth gave the Tigers a 5-3 advantage.

Mahtook made a spectacular defensive play in center to rob Perez of an extra-base hit in the fifth. Mahtook chased the long fly to deep right-center and made a leaping grab while crashing into the wall. Perez tipped his helmet in Mahtook's direction and Verlander hugged him on the way back to the dugout.

NOTES: Tigers DH Victor Martinez is expected to be activated Wednesday. Martinez was placed on the 10-day disabled list June 16th with an irregular heartbeat. Martinez is batting .261 with five homers and 29 RBIs. "There shouldn't be a ton of rust," manager Brad Ausmus said. ... The Royals haven't lost a series since dropping two out of three to the Tigers in late May. ... Detroit OF Jim Adduci began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. Adduci has been on the 10-day disabled list since May 10 with an oblique strain. ... Royals LHP Brian Flynn was reinstated from the 60-day DL and optioned to Triple-A Omaha. Flynn suffered a fractured vertebra when he fell through the roof of his barn in February. ... Ausmus said he's not fretting over his job security. "After being on the hot seat for 3 1/2 years, I don't concern myself with it," he said.