The Tigers certainly looked up for the task on Friday night, taking a 4-2 win behind an excellent start by Justin Verlander. Francisco Rodriguez locked down the ninth inning for his 25th save of the season, which is second best in the American League. He gave up four hits and walked two while striking out three.
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Kennedy has surrendered at least one home run in seven straight starts – and 13 in all over that stretch – but he put up solid numbers in his last three outings. That moved the second-place Tigers 1 1/2 games ahead of Kansas City, but both teams will have to chase down division leader Cleveland or shoot for a wild card. Perez followed with an opposite-field drive that right fielder Steven Moya played tentatively as he approached the wall.
The Royals scored both runs in the 6th inning, Salvador Perez doubled driving Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales scored on a Detroit throwing error. Cabrera didn’t replace Hosmer until the seventh inning of that game.
“What’s really unique about the All-Star Game for me is that you get 34 guys from different organizations that you’re screaming at and yelling at one day from across the field, but you walk into that clubhouse door and it’s incredible how they unite into a team for two days”, Yost said.
The most memorable thing Collins did with the Tigers earlier this season was extend a middle finger toward booing home fans back in April.
“We were playing well (prior to the break), though we didn’t do great in Toronto, but we’ve got to play better”, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. He got the win, improving him to 9-6.
The Tigers get even in the bottom of the 7th as recent call-up Tyler Collins homered to right center field, his first of the season. Cain is eligible to come off the DL whenever the Royals feel he’s ready. RHP Jordan Zimmermann (neck) said he would probably do long-toss Saturday. The Tigers’ ace racked up 10 strikeouts while offense showed up just in time, as Detroit began the second half on the right foot.
Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (4-1) starts Saturday night against the Tigers. One would think Pelfrey being on the mound might help, but he actually has an ERA of 3.06 in his last three starts. He won for the fourth time in his last five starts.
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Tigers right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who will oppose Duffy, has not gotten past the seventh inning in any of his 17 starts this season.
