Final Score: DET 6 | KC 5

Overall Record: 17-11

Winning/Losing Pitcher:

• W: Alex Faedo (2-0, 2.55 ERA)
• L: Chris Stratton (2-2, 6.23 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Maikel Garcia

2 for 5, 1 run, 2 RBI’s, 1 SB

The offense, for the most part tonight, struggled after an early start to the game. Garcia singled to start the game and got driven in by a Vinnie Pasquantino groundout. In the second inning, Garcia singled again to drive in Michael Massey then stole second base, but nothing came from that steal. He drove in a run in the ninth by grounding out to short to make it a 6-4 game at the time. Maikel seems to be heating up as in the last five games he has four two-hit games.

Key Highlights

Both teams really struggled with RISP, but the Royals couldn’t fully take advantage of the four Tiger’s errors. The Royals went 3 for 11 with RISP and Kyle Isbel had the most chances missing on all three clutch at-bats. Outside of Garcia, Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. each had two-hit games as well as Dairon Blanco. BWJ also made the game close with his RBI single in the ninth.

On to the main culprit of the loss, the bullpen. Chris Stratton had a blowup outing giving up five earned runs on four hits and a walk. Before this game he seemed to be putting it together having five scoreless outings, but the control hasn’t fully been there yet. Outside of Stratton, Brady Singer grinded through five innings striking out six and walking three. Angel Zerpa and Matt Sauer also had scoreless outings.

Summary of the Next Game

In the rubber match at 12:40, both teams look to take the series to continue a good start to the year. The Royals will be sending out Michael Wacha (1-2, 3.81 ERA) who is coming off a short start against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Tigers will be sending out Tarik Skubal (3-0, 1.82 ERA) who looks to continue a hot start that has seen him become a favorite in the Cy Young race.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel