Hunter Dozier’s two-run home run helped the host Kansas City Royals defeat the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Saturday and snap a five-game losing streak.
The Royals snapped the Tigers’ two-game winning streak in the process.
It was the 17 time in the last 22 games between the teams that a game was decided by two runs or fewer.
The Royals again wasted plenty of scoring opportunities early in the game. They had two runners on with less than two outs in each of the first three innings and only scored one run in those situations. But Dozier’s blast in the sixth bailed them out.
Collin Snider (2-0) was the winning pitcher. Will Vest (0-1) took the loss. Josh Staumont earned the Royals’ first save of the season.
Royals starter Kris Bubic allowed one run on two hits but had to leave after 4 1/3 innings because of six walks (89 pitches).
Detroit starter Matt Manning allowed one run on five hits in two innings, but he left with right shoulder discomfort.
The Royals scored in the first inning for the first time this season.
With one out, Bobby Witt Jr. recorded the first two-strike hit — and first single — of his career. He moved to third on a single by Andrew Benintendi. Salvador Perez hit a line drive that was knocked down by Jeimer Candelario at third. Candelario threw to first to get Perez, but Witt scored.
The Tigers tied it with a two-out double by Dustin Garneau in the second. His hit short-hopped the wall in left center, scoring Daz Cameron.
Royals pitchers came into the game last in the majors in ERA (11.64), opponents’ batting average (.329), opponents’ batting average with runners in scoring position (.424) and opponents’ OPS (.950) with two outs.
The Royals put the first two runners on base in the second and third, but they squandered both opportunities. They were 1-for-8 with RISP through three innings.
Detroit pitchers retired 10 straight batters before Carlos Santana drew a one-out walk in the sixth. Dozier then hit his first home run of the season.
–Field Level Media
