The Royals led in the 9th, 10th and 11th innings. How did Saturday’s game get away?
The Kansas City Royals failed to put away the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night. And eventually, it cost them.
Both teams were waged in a back-and-forth affair at Comerica Park before Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez hit a walk-off single in the 11th inning to give Detroit a 6-5 victory.
“A lot of times, especially when you are on the road, you are gonna have to score more than one (run in extra innings),” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We weren’t able to do that, and they did.”
The Royals had their opportunities to win the game.
Earlier in the 11th inning, Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe hit a go-ahead RBI single. Renfroe drove home replacement runner Dairon Blanco after Blanco stole third base, which was granted via official review.
However, the Royals bullpen couldn’t close the door — multiple times. The Royals led after the top of the ninth, 10th and 11th innings.
Instead, KC dropped to 62-50, snapping a five-game winning streak.
New Royals reliever Hunter Harvey blew a save opportunity in the ninth inning. He allowed two earned runs as the Tigers stormed back and sent the game into extra innings.
“We are going to take our chances every time we go to the ninth 3-1 with him on the mound,” Quatraro said of Harvey. “They put some good swings on (him) and he got ahead 0-2 to (Tigers first baseman Bligh) Madris and left a split in the middle. They squared some balls up and you’ve got to give them credit.”
Harvey allowed three hits, including a homer, in his lone frame. In extra innings, the Royals took a 4-3 lead following a Bobby Witt Jr. sacrifice fly.
The Tigers responded again. In the 11th inning, the game rested on the shoulders of Royals closer James McArthur. The second-year pitcher gave up the winning single. Detroit improved to 53-59.
Missed previous games in the series?
Game 1: Vinnie Pasquantino homers twice as Royals take series opener
Game 2: Royals collect nine consecutive hits in 9-2 win over Tigers
Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:
New Royals contribute early
The Royals newest acquisitions have paid immediate dividends this weekend against the Tigers.
Royals reliever Lucas Erceg got out of a crucial jam in Friday’s game. One day later, Royals starter Michael Lorenzen and infielder Paul DeJong lifted the Royals early at Comerica Park.
DeJong hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning. It was his 19th home run of the season and first with the Royals. The blast traveled over the left-field wall as KC created much-needed distance.
“He just hung a splitter and I was able to hit a nice line drive,” DeJong said. “And, you know, short porch down the left-field line and got out. That was nice for me to be able to contribute like that in that moment.”
Meanwhile, Lorenzen was steady on the mound. He pitched 5 ⅔ innings, allowing one run in his return to Detroit. Lorenzen spent part of the 2023 campaign with the Tigers before being traded midseason.
“I felt good, and I worked well with Salvy (Perez),” Lorenzen said. “I like how quick he works and you are able to stay in a groove and I really liked that. I felt like I had a good mix and we were able to get on the same plan pretty quickly.”
Lorenzen was efficient in his outing. He allowed five hits, two walks and registered five strikeouts. He threw 54 of 84 pitches for strikes while recording 11 swings and nine whiffs with his changeup.
“It’s an important pitch for me, and when it’s on, I try to take advantage of it,” Lorenzen said of the changeup. “Kind of throw it as much as I can. ... We were able to do that and get some good results from it.”
Royals shuffle lineup card
The Royals had a unique look atop the lineup on Saturday. Royals designated hitter Freddy Fermin moved up to the leadoff spot against the Tigers.
Fermin, who entered with a 10-game hitting streak, has produced consistent at-bats in recent weeks. He is hitting .364 with three multi-hit games during his recent surge.
“He clearly earned more playing time with the quality of his at-bats with his streak,” Quatraro said pregame.
But ... Fermin went 0 for 5 and snapped his hitting streak.
Still, he got a chance to leadoff as the Royals wanted to combat Tigers opener Tyler Holton with multiple right-handed bats.
“My message to Freddy was to just do your thing,” Quatraro said. “… Just have a good at-bat like he’s been doing all along.”
What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?
The Royals conclude their four-game series against the Tigers. KC right-handed starter Michael Wacha is set to start in the series finale Sunday.
Wacha is 7-2 with a 2.56 ERA in his last 12 starts. In that span, he has won his last four decisions, which marks his longest winning streak of 2024.
The Tigers have not announced a starter for Sunday’s game.
This story was originally published August 3, 2024 at 8:52 PM.
