How Kyle Isbel became Royals’ walkoff hero after making 2 huge catches vs. Tigers
Major League Baseball games are often decided by razor-thin margins. And on Friday, the Kansas City Royals found themselves walking a tightrope again.
This time, however, they maintained their balance for a 4-3 comeback victory at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals (18-21) overcame a two-run deficit against the Tigers. In the eighth inning, Kyle Isbel started a late rally defensively and at the plate.
Isbel saved a couple of extra-base hits with terrific plays in center field. He made a diving catch and then a running grab to end the top half of the inning.
In the bottom half, with the Royals at the plate, it was Isbel’s RBI single that sparked Kansas City’s comeback. Maikel Garcia followed with an RBI of his own as the Royals tied the game 3-3.
Isbel came through again in the ninth. He hit a game-winning single that drove home pinch-hitter Nick Loftin from second base. Loftin had doubled to get there.
The Royals pitching staff needed it. In the sixth inning, the club was one out away from a scoreless frame. Royals starter Kris Bubic had skirted around trouble all night. He needed to retire Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez to protect a tied game at 1-1.
The Tigers (18-21) had catcher Dillon Dingler at first base after he reached on a fielder’s choice. Perez battled Bubic before hitting a 92.4 mph sinker into the center-field gap.
Dingler raced around the bases. Isbel quickly corralled the baseball before firing to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. In mere seconds, Witt threw a strike to home plate as Dingler was dashing towards home plate.
It seemed Dingler would be out by several feet. However, Royals catcher Carter Jensen didn’t complete the relay. The incoming baseball popped out of Jensen’s glove before he went to tag Dingler crossing the plate.
And just like that the Tigers had a 2-1 lead. From there, the Royals took Bubic out of the game and inserted right-hander Nick Mears in relief.
Mears gave up an additional run. Detroit slugger Spencer Torkelson hit an RBI double of his own as the Tigers went up by two.
Bubic was credited with a no decision. He allowed three earned runs, four hits and issued four walks in 5 and 2/3 innings. Per Statcast, Bubic registered 41 swings and seven whiffs.
The Tigers didn’t chase his fastball. He struggled to land the heater consistently, and it led to additional baserunning traffic. Despite pitching out of trouble, Bubic wasn’t able to go as deep in Friday’s contest.
KC turned to its bullpen to cover the remainder of the game. The relief unit consisting of Mears, Luinder Avila, John Schreiber kept the deficit manageable.
But the bullpen was assisted by Isbel’s two stellar defensive plays. He robbed Perez with a diving grab in left-center field. Then, he took away extra bases from Torkelson in deep center. It was prelude to his big hits to come, including the walkoff single.
In the ninth, Royals closer Lucas Erceg worked around a leadoff double. He also avoided serious injury after colliding with catcher Elias Diaz — who had subbed in for Jensen — in working around a scoreless frame.
The Royals finished 4 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
Earlier in the game, Tigers starter Keider Montero allowed one run in six innings. He mixed his fastball well with his knuckle-curve and other off-speed pitches. He, too, earned a no decision on the night.
The Royals snapped a three-game losing streak behind Isbel’s strong night.
What’s next: Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (3-2, 3.05 ERA) will start opposite Tigers righty Ty Madden on Saturday night. First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. Central Time at Kauffman Stadium.
This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 9:46 PM.
