The Royals’ biggest issue proved costly again in loss to Detroit Tigers
The Kansas City Royals were in a familiar spot against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.
A close game in the late innings.
The Royals rode their starting rotation once again. This time, Seth Lugo carried the load and recorded a no-decision in the Royals’ 2-1 loss.
“You know, starting pitchers just try to pitch as deep as we can,” Lugo said. “Whatever the scoreboard says is irrelevant to attacking each hitter. As long as we keep that mentality, we’re going to keep giving the team a chance to win.”
However, familiar problems keep popping up.
The Royals continued to struggle with runners in scoring position — arguably the team’s biggest issue this season. And it proved costly Wednesday night.
In the third inning, Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone hit a leadoff triple. However, he was quickly retired as Kyle Isbel hit into a fielder’s choice. Caglianone was thrown out at the plate by second baseman Gleyber Torres.
KC finished 1-for-9 with RISP and left seven men on base. The lone run came after Isbel delivered an RBI single in the fifth inning. The offense has scored two runs or fewer in seven of the last eight games.
Vinnie Pasquantino also just missed a home run down the right-field line.
The Tigers took advantage of their scoring chance. In the eighth inning, Wenceel Perez hit a solo homer off Royals reliever Eli Morgan. The go-ahead blast was Perez’s first of the 2026 campaign.
“The guy hit a solo homer,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of the finish. “Vinnie squares a ball up, and if it’s a little bit pulled more ... this game can be cruel. He hits that ball to right field and it’s long gone and we have a lead. But it didn’t work out that way.”
Morgan left a 77 mph changeup at the bottom of the strike zone. Perez turned around the baseball and hit it over the right-field wall.
“We like Eli’s changeup there,” Quatraro said. “He was looking for it and got it. You know, pulled it to the right spot.”
The Royals (7-11) lost their third consecutive game. The Tigers improved to 9-9 and won the series at home.
Seth Lugo produces quality start
The Royals’ starting rotation continues to lead the way. On Wednesday, Lugo allowed one run across 6 ⅔ innings.
It was efficient work.
“I thought I threw the ball pretty well,” Lugo said. “I thought I mixed pitches well and didn’t issue any free passes. Changed speeds and changed locations. Made adjustments throughout the game. A couple mistakes in the third, but you know, fixed them after that and was able to pitch into the seventh.”
Lugo relied on his defense throughout the start. In the first inning, Lugo induced a double play to retire designated hitter Colt Keith. He later ran into trouble in the third, but Caglianone, in right field, helped negate a big inning.
“You know, he made some good plays and tracked the ball well,” Lugo said. “We know he’s got a cannon and he got to let that loose tonight.”
Caglianone began a 9-4-2 relay that cut down Zach McKinstry at home plate. McKinstry began the third frame with a single and attempted to score on Javier Baez’s double.
However, Caglianone got to the baseball quickly and the Royals tagged out McKinstry just before he crossed the plate. It was one of two defensive plays — one where Caglianone nearly added another assist — that aided Lugo on the mound.
Baez scored the lone run against Lugo as he maneuvered past catcher Salvador Perez’s tag at home.
“For me, it’s more so knowing that I had time,” Caglianone said. “Not trying to cut the ball off too quick and be erratic. Just wanted to beat it to the spot. Got it and wanted to make a good throw. And thankfully, (Michael) Massey did what he does best. He made a good throw for Sal to put the tag on.”
Lugo finished his outing with seven strikeouts and no walks. He now sports a 1.50 ERA.
“With the pace I work out there, if I’m filling up the strike zone, they have to make decisions and that puts them in a bad spot,” Lugo said. “So, you know, working quick and filling up the zone, that’s going to help me do what I want to do out there.”
What’s next: Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (2-1, 2.50 ERA) will start Thursday’s series finale at Comerica Park. He will oppose Tigers righty Keider Montero (1-1, 1.74 ERA) with first pitch set for 12:10 p.m. Central.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 8:14 PM.
