Royals winning streak ends as they fail to put away Tigers

Despite striking first, the Royals dropped the opening game of their four-game series against the Detroit Tigers, 4-3. The result drops Kansas City’s record to 43-61 while Detroit improves to 49-54.

On the bright side for the Royals, starting pitcher Randy Dobnak threw a fine game. Looking for his first win since May 21, 2021, Dobnak threw five scoreless innings while limiting the Tigers to five hits. He walked only one while he struck out three. Matt Strahm relieved in the sixth inning, preserving the lead for his 13th hold of the season. Strahm’s ERA dropped to 6.88—still bad, but under 7.

The game remained scoreless through five innings as the Royals threatened, but never maimed, Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton. Melton, who entered the evening with a 1.80 ERA and 3.87 FIP through nine starts and 55 innings pitched, struggled with his command as he walked four. He got away with it, though, until the sixth inning.

Against the last batter he’d face, Isaac Collins, Melton left a slider over the plate. Collins turned on it, hitting it 390 feet to right, over the fence and on to the Michigan Lottery sign. (“For fun. For schools.”) Michael Massey, who singled to begin the inning, also scored. 2-0, Royals.

After Strahm held the Tigers at bay, John Schreiber came in to pitch the seventh. It’s not fair to Schreiber, but when he entered the game, The Rolling Stones started playing in my head, specifically the song, “Play With Fire.” Schreiber’s had a decent season—he entered with a 3.29 ERA (but 4.93 FIP) and hadn’t allowed an earned run in his last three outings. Heck, during his last two outings, he hadn’t even allowed a hit.

To his credit, he almost got out of it unscathed, but horseshoes and grenades, am I right?

The first two batters of the inning, Dillon Dingler and Kerry Carpenter, both singled, Dingler moving to third on Carpenter’s hit. Spencer Torkelson struck out before Zach McKinstry softly lined out to Andrew Velasquez at short. Two outs, two on, James Outman, he of the .155/.216/.275 slash line, coming up.

Because this is just the way things are going for the Royals, on a 2-2 pitch, Outman hit it out, man. (I’m not sorry.) 3-2, Detroit.

The Royals didn’t go quietly, though. Massey led off the top of the eighth with a single. Tyler Tolbert replaced him on the basepaths. Collins, who homered his last time up, popped up a bunt to the third baseman, failing to advance Tolbert. No matter. With Josh Rojas up, Tolbert stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Rojas then singled him home, tying the game, 3-3.

Rojas remained at first, though, as Detroit quickly retired Nick Loftin and Velasquez.

Steven Cruz replaced Schreiber, and Mick Jagger picked it back up in my head. Sure enough, with two outs and two strikes, Detroit regained the lead when Dingler doubled home Hao-Ye Lee. Tigers up, 4-3.

My sons decided to watch the top of the ninth with me. Things looked promising after Lane Thomas walked and Vinnie Pasquantino singled to bring up Salvador Perez with one out and the tying run on second. I’d been telling the boys all night when Salvy came up to bat so they could possibly witness some local history. My oldest said, “It would be great if he hit a home run right here.”

I replied, “Yeah, but I’m thinking a game-ending double-play instead.”

Man, do I hate it when I’m right.

Game 2 tomorrow night at 5:40.