Kansas City Royals lose to Detroit Tigers 4-5 in series finale – MLB Update
Kansas City Royals lost to the Detroit Tigers 4-5 in a thrilling encounter at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on Thursday, September 27 in the finale of their three match series.
Royals, once again, failed to cross the finish line as Tigers completed an emphatic series sweep. With their win the Tigers also moved two games ahead of the second placed Chicago White Sox at the top of American League Central Division standings table.
It will be interesting to see if the Tigers can keep their advantage to win their second straight AL Central title.
Manager Jim Leyland will be extremely pleased with what he seen from his men over the last couple of weeks. Tigers needed to raise their game-play to stay in the playoffs race and that is exactly what they have done, winning seven of their last ten games.
Starting pitcher Doug Fister continued his marvellous form as he pitched seven plus sharp innings to help his side dictate terms. His counterpart from Kansas City, Luis Mendoza also pitched with great control and accuracy but he was unfortunate to end up
on the losing side.
Overall, he allowed seven hits and four runs in seven solid innings. Relief pitcher Tim Collins took the loss after giving up the tie breaking single to Alex Avila in the bottom of the ninth.
"It's the only way we're going to be able to get in the playoffs and go far in the playoffs," said Avilla.
"It's crazy, to go through a whole lineup and strike everybody out," Royals’ outfielder Jeff Francoeur said. "And I don't think he threw more than four pitches to any of the batters."
"I said, `Congratulations, man. You made history.' He was like, `What are you doing?" Prince Fielder said. "He was locked in so it was kind of like, `Get away from me.' I was like, `All right, they'll tell you.’"
Prince Fielder, Delmon Young and Quintin Berry helped Tigers take a vital 4-0 lead in the second inning. Royals fought back strongly in the eighth, thanks to Billy Butler who smacked a home-run to level the score 4-4. Credit should be given to the Tigers
who held their nerves to prevail.
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