Cabrera homered and had a go-ahead two-run single in the ninth to lead the Detroit Tigers to a 7-6 victory over Royals on Friday night. Cabrera blasted a mammoth home run over the fountain in center field in the seventh inning that had increased the Tigers’ advantage to 5-3. Justin Upton homered, and Francisco Rodriguez picked up the win after blowing the save.
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The Kansas City Royals (69-64) had won 11 straight games Danny Duffy (11-2, 3.01 ERA) started until he got hammered by the Boston Red Sox in his last outing Saturday.
The Detroit Tigers have surged back into the American League Central race but now must face another hard-charging team when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Friday night in the opener of a three-game set.
“This was a tough loss”, Duffy said. Cabrera drove them both in with a single, his third hit.
“Every single game we’re going to play now is going to be like this one”, Rodriguez said.
Tigers left-hander Justin Wilson gave up a run on three singles to Orlando, Cheslor Cuthbert and Eric Hosmer in the seventh, the only three batters he faced. The Royals recalled C Tony Cruz, OF Terrance Gore and INF-OF Whit Merrifield and purchased the contract of INF Hunter Dozier with rosters expanded. Meanwhile, this will be Ventura’s fifth start against the Tigers this season. He’s 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA in those appearances. Tigers 3B Nick Castellanos took some swings with a fungo bat, but is probably a week away from playing. OF Cameron Maybin remains out of the Detroit lineup because of a bruised left thumb.
Davis had not pitched in the majors since July 22 because of a right flexor strain. Manager Ned Yost said he would avoid using Davis in back-to-back games for a while.
Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain has not played since Tuesday because of a sore left wrist. Fulmer, who will be making his 22nd start, lost to the Los Angeles Angels in his previous start, giving up three runs, five hits and a walk with four strikeouts in five innings.
-Michael Fulmer again is pitching with a little extra rest for the Tigers.
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Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura is 6-0 with a 2.98 ERA in 10 games against the Tigers.
