Tigers Lose to Royals 5-3 in 12 Innings

Justin Verlander was good.   The Tiger hitters....not so much.

The Tigers lost to the Royals, 5-3 in 12 innings. Verlander started and pitched well, going seven innings, giving up three runs on just five hits.  He struck out 9 and walked two.  But a home run by Jorge Bonifacio gave the Royals a 3-0 lead in the sixth.

In the bottom of the sixth, Miguel Cabrera singled in Ian Kinsler, and Alex Avila tied the score with a clutch single to center.

Alex and Justin Wilson each pitched a perfect inning to send the game into extra innings.

The Tigers had a chance to win it in the 10^th, with two on and one out.  But Miguel Cabrera popped out and Nick Castellanos grounded out to end the threat.

Drew VerHagen, called up to spell an overworked bullpen pitched well in the 10^th and 11^th, but was tagged for back-to-back home runs in the 12^th.

Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas went deep and the Royals won it 5-3. With their sixth straight victory, Kansas City stays a game and a half behind first place Cleveland in the Central Division.  The Tigers fall to 7 ½ back.

Michael Fulmer pitches for the Tigers tonight against the Royals in game 2 at Comerica Park.

Hear it at 6:45on 95.3 WBCK.