Michael Wacha dominates, Royals extend Tigers' skid to 5 games

Michael Wacha allowed two hits over seven scoreless innings, Bobby Witt Jr. sped his way to a two-run inside-the-park homer and Michael Massey broke things open with a conventional three-run shot Saturday night, as the host Kansas City Royals beat the scuffling Detroit Tigers 5-1.

Wacha (4-2), who turns 35 in July and boasts an ERA of 2.63, yielded only a single to Kerry Carpenter and a double from Spencer Torkelson, walking two and striking out six on 89 pitches to help the Royals take the first two of this three-game set. Kansas City, which secured its series win over Detroit since August of 2024, is 12-5 since losing eight in a row.

Riley Greene had an RBI double in the eighth inning for the Tigers, who managed just four hits while matching a season high with their fifth consecutive loss. Detroit swept a three-game home set during the Royals' extended skid last month, but is in danger of that favor being returned this weekend.

The Royals wasted no time getting to Detroit opener Burch Smith (0-2). Maikel Garcia led off the bottom of the first with a double into the left-center gap and scored one batter later when Witt inside-outed a pitch down the right-field line. Carpenter severely misplayed the ball off the sidewall, and it rolled far enough away for Witt to circle the bases for his fifth homer of the season and his second career inside-the-parker.

Carpenter exited shortly after with left shoulder soreness from slamming into the wall on the play.

Kansas City made it 5-0 in the fourth. With Ty Madden on the mound for Detroit, Carter Jensen drew a one-out walk and Jac Caglianone singled. Then with two outs, Massey sent a drive out to right-center to give the Royals a hefty advantage.

The Tigers, who have totaled 11 runs in the last five contests, finally got on the board against Matt Strahm. Kevin McGonigle singled to open the eighth and eventually scored on Greene's two-out double.

--Field Level Media