DETROIT — Michael Massey hit a go-ahead, two-run home run with two outs in the eighth inning on Sunday, propelling the Kansas City Royals to a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
The Royals jumped out to an early 3-0 lead behind a leadoff home run from Lane Thomas in the first inning and an RBI double by Luke Maile in the fourth.
Detroit staged a comeback in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs to take the lead. After reliever Matt Strahm entered to face Riley Greene, a ball up the middle was misplayed—leading to an error charged to second baseman Andrew Velazquez—allowing two Tigers to score. Dillon Dingler then delivered a go-ahead, two-run single past Strahm to give Detroit a 4-3 advantage.
The lead proved short-lived, as Massey launched his clutch Eighth-inning shot to right field off Drew Sommers (0-1), who surrendered two runs on two hits over 1 1/3 innings.
Nate Pearson (2-0) earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Steven Cruz navigated a tense ninth to pick up his second save, working around a walk and a hit to the first two batters before striking out Greene to end the game.
The loss was the second straight for Detroit against the last-place team in the AL Central. It comes at a critical juncture for the Tigers, who have one week left to decide whether to retain or trade ace Tarik Skubal ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
UP NEXT
- Royals: Open a series at Minnesota on Tuesday night; Kansas City has not yet announced a starting pitcher.
