Kinsler's double keys Tigers' rally in 7-4 win over Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- After scoring two runs early, the Detroit Tigers appeared to hit the snooze button before reawakening late in the game.
Ian Kinsler doubled home two runs in a four-run eighth as the Detroit Tigers sent 10 men to the plate in the inning and beat the Kansas City Royals 7-4 Wednesday night.
The loss snapped the Royals' eight-game home winning streak, their longest since winning their first 11 games in 2003 at Kauffman Stadium.
"I know the first couple innings we scored, but we were pretty quiet until deep in the game, until the eighth inning," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "And then we were able to score four off of (Edinson) Volquez and (Kelvin) Herrera, and so it was a nice comeback."
Volquez (11-7) had retired 13 straight batters entering the eighth, which James McCann led off with a single. The right-hander walked Anthony Gose and Jose Iglesias had an infield single on a swinging bunt to load the bases with none out.
Kinsler doubled down the left field line to score McCann and Gose to finish Volquez's night. Manager Ned Yost said Herrera warmed up in the bullpen ready to come in to face Kinsler, but he opted to stick with Volquez one batter too long.
"That's my fault, too," Yost said. "I've got a pretty hard fast rule that I don't let my starter get beat in the eighth inning and I did it there. It cost Eddie a win and cost us a win."
J.D. Martinez's single scored Iglesias. Kinsler scored on Tyler Collins' fielder's choice grounder as Detroit sent 10 to the plate in the inning.
"Volquez was tough," Kinsler said. "He was commanding his off-speed pitches really well, and when he's doing that, he's one of the best in the game, and tonight he threw the ball great. We were just able to break through there in the eighth."
Volquez, who had given up three or fewer runs in his previous seven starts, was charged with six runs, five earned, on eight hits over seven-plus innings.
"I can't tell you where we are in the standings, but we show up every day to win," McCann said. "We still feel like we're chasing October. We're still chasing the playoffs. Despite what outside people may think, in this clubhouse we're still chasing a postseason spot."
Neftali Feliz (2-3), the former Texas Rangers closer, picked up the victory, retiring all three batters he faced. Bruce Rondon worked the ninth to log his second save in two chances.
Victor Martinez drove in two of the Tigers' runs with a sacrifice fly in the first and a double in the ninth.
Lorenzo Cain had two of the Royals' hits, including a double, and scored a run. He is 11 for 19 (.579 average) on this homestand. Four of the Royals' six hits went for extra bases, including Alcides Escobar's RBI triple in the third. Escobar scored on the play on Iglesias' throwing error.
Tigers' rookie left-hander Daniel Norris, who was acquired from Toronto in the David Price trade, permitted four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
KEEP THAT BALL
After Ben Zobrist walked and Cain singled with one out in the fifth, Ausmus strolled to the mound and Norris gave him the ball. Ausmus gave him the ball back, keeping him in the game. "It shows he has confidence in me, has confidence in my stuff and my competitive nature," Norris said. "The first thing he said, like was, `I'm not taking you out, I just want to give you a breather.'" Norris promptly got out of the jam when Eric Hosmer grounded into a double play.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera (left calf strain) took batting practice, fielded ground balls at first base and ran the bases. If all goes well, Cabrera should come off the disabled list Friday at Houston.
Royals: C Salvador Perez (sore left wrist) had an MRI Wednesday"He's got a little fluid in his joint and a little bit of a bone bruise," Yost said. Perez did not play Wednesday and will also sit out Thursday, Yost said. ... RHP Wade Davis, who has missed the past six games with back stiffness, threw a bullpen session Wednesday and could be available Thursday.
