By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

Tigers 4, Royals 2– The Tigers opened the second half of the season with a comeback win against the defending world champion Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

LSJ Logo incertDetroit overcame a 2-1 deficit, scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Tigers opened the scoring in the first inning on a leadoff home run by Ian Kinsler.

Kansas City responded with two runs in the sixth on an RBI double by Salvador Perez, which also scored Kendrys Morales on a throwing error.Eye on the D

Detroit tied the game 2-2 in the seventh on Tyler Collins’ first home run of the season and then took the lead with a two-run infield single by Victor Martinez.
Kinsler and Jose Iglesias each had two hits apiece to pace the Tigers offensively while Miguel Cabrera added a double.

Detroit’s starting pitcher Justin Verlander tossed the victory, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out 10 batters in seven innings.

Tigers’ closer Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 25th save of the season, allowing just one hit in the ninth inning.

The Royals were led in a losing effort by Perez and Jarrod Dyson with a double each.

Detroit is now 47-43 on the season, good for second place in the American League Central Division behind the first-place Cleveland Indians.

The Tigers will look to win the second game of the series against the Royals on Saturday night.

 

Detroit, which defeated the Blue Jays 3-2 on Saturday afternoon, goes into the break with a 46-43 record.

The Tigers are currently tied for second-place in the American League Central Division behind the first-place Cleveland Indians.

Detroit will return home after the break to face the Kansas City Royals starting on Friday night.

Record: 47-43

Tied for 2nd Place in AL Central Division (6.5 games behind first-place Cleveland)

3 games behind Toronto for last Wild Card spot

Magic # to clinch a playoff spot: 75

Magic # to clinch an AL Central Division title: 80

Next Game: 07/16/2016 vs Kansas City Royals 7:10 p.m. @ Comerica Park

Hitting stats: Ian Kinsler HR (17) RBI (53), Tyler Collins HR (1) RBI (2), Victor Martinez 2 RBI (54), Miguel Cabrera 2B (17).

Pitching stats: Justin Verlander W (9-6) 7 IP 4 H 2 R 1 ER 2 BB 10 K, Francisco Rodriguez SV (25) 1 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K.