In Detroit, Spencer Torkelson was the hero for the Tigers as he smacked a decisive three-run homer in the fifth inning against Seth Lugo, leading to a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday. This win pushed the Royals to a six-game losing skid.
The Tigers have clinched the first three matchups in this four-game series, boasting an impressive 8-1 record at Comerica Park. This represents their strongest opening at home since kicking off with nine straight victories back in 1993.
Casey Mize put on a stellar performance, allowing just one run and four hits across seven solid innings. Mize has consistently impressed this season, having conceded one or no runs in three out of his four starts. Will Vest took over in the ninth, earning his first save of the season by neatly finishing a six-hit game for the Tigers.
Torkelson’s seventh homer of the season, which brought his RBI tally to 21, came from a well-timed 1-2 splitter, landing in the Tigers’ bullpen located in left-center field. Lugo, the Kansas City pitcher, conceded five hits over 6 2/3 innings. Previously at Yankee Stadium, he had given up four home runs, tying his career high.
For Kansas City, this continues a challenging 10-game journey, having already battled in Cleveland and New York, where they are currently struggling with a 1-8 record. The Royals, who hold an 8-14 overall record, have been having issues scoring, marking 15 consecutive games without surpassing four runs. Their struggle in this series is evident, going just 4 for 32 with runners poised to score.
Freddy Fermin was a bright spot for the Royals, hitting a solo homer in the seventh inning and managing an infield single with two outs in the ninth. However, Kyle Isbel was unable to capitalize, popping out on the subsequent pitch.
A critical moment came when Vinnie Pasquantino sharply lined out to the Tigers’ second baseman Colt Keith, who attempted to turn a double play but threw erratically to second. The misthrow went into foul territory on the left side, yet ongoing confusion by India’s fake tag from shortstop Trey Sweeney caused him to remain stationary, missing a base advancement opportunity.
One standout statistic involves Daniel Lynch IV, who managed to retire Carpenter with a popup at the close of the seventh inning. Lynch has impressed with a streak of 30 consecutive scoreless innings stretched across 20 appearances since August 26. This achievement is currently the longest active streak in Major League Baseball.
Looking ahead, the Royals will send RHP Michael Wacha, holding a 0-3 record with an ERA of 4.35, to the mound. He’ll face the Tigers’ top pitcher, LHP Tarik Skubal, who is 2-2 with a 2.66 ERA. Skubal, last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner, has been formidable in his recent outings, pitching 13 scoreless innings and racking up 15 strikeouts without issuing a walk in his last two games.