KANSAS CITY, MO – June 2, 2025 – The Detroit Tigers secured a tight 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, bouncing back from a Saturday loss to claim their 14th series win of the season against their AL Central rivals. The decisive run came in the third inning when Zach McKinstry hit a leadoff triple and subsequently scored on a wild pitch by Royals starter Kris Bubic.
McKinstry’s triple ignited the Tigers’ offense, and his run-scoring play, stemming from Bubic’s sweeper deflecting off catcher Salvador Perez and rolling towards the dugout, proved to be the game’s sole tally. Riley Greene contributed two of Detroit’s five hits on the day.
Detroit, entering June with the best record in Major League Baseball for the first time since 2006, leaned on strong pitching to secure the win. Tigers starter Keider Montero allowed seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. Chase Lee (2-0) earned the win with four key outs, and Will Vest closed out the game for his ninth save of the season.
Despite the loss, Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (5-3) delivered a stellar performance, tying a career-high with nine strikeouts over seven innings, surrendering only four hits and two walks. This marks his third outing with nine strikeouts in his last four starts.
Offensively, Salvador Perez was a bright spot for Kansas City, collecting three of the team’s nine hits. However, the Royals struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, stranding eight runners. This continues a trend for the team, which has scored four or fewer runs in 50 of their 60 games this season.
In other Royals news, infielder Maikel Garcia was scratched from the starting lineup due to right thumb soreness.
This low-scoring affair further highlights the tight contests between these two division foes, with 10 of their last 12 matchups decided by two runs or fewer.
Up Next: The Tigers will continue their seven-game road trip on Monday night as RHP Jack Flaherty (3-6, 3.94 ERA) takes the mound against the Chicago White Sox.
