Field Level Media
Jul 23, 2018
James McCann drove in two runs, including a go-ahead double during a three-run ninth, and the Detroit Tigers rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
Jim Adduci supplied a two-run double and Jose Iglesias knocked in the other run for Detroit. Alex Wilson tossed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win. Shane Greene got the last three outs for his 20th save.
Detroit starting pitcher Francisco Liriano gave up three runs on six hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings, striking out six.
The Tigers' rally denied Royals rookie right-hander Heath Fillmyer his first major league victory. Fillmyer gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings.
Lucas Duda drove in three runs while Rosell Herrera and Drew Butera contributed three hits apiece for the Royals.
Brandon Maurer, brought in to close the game with a 4-2 lead, couldn't get an out. Jeimer Candelario led off with a single and reached third on Victor Martinez's double. Adduci then ripped an opposite-field double to tie it.
McCann, who had three hits, greeted Jason Hammel with a double off the left field wall to bring in Adduci.
The Royals jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first. Whit Merrifield drew a leadoff walk, stole second and reached third when Herrera's reached on an error by Adduci. After Liriano retired the next two batters, Hunter Dozier walked to load the bases. Duda then smacked a single to center, driving in two runs.
The Royals tacked on a run in the fifth when Jorge Bonafacio doubled to right and Duda slapped a two-out single to left center to knock him in.
Detroit cut the Royals' lead to 3-2 in the seventh. Martinez drew a two-out walk and Adduci followed with a bloop single. That ended Fillmyer's night. Kevin McCarthy replaced him and gave up run-scoring singles by McCann and Iglesias.
Kansas City answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Perez led off with a single and pinch hitter Mike Moustakas smoked a double to left-center to bring him home.
--Field Level Media