Tigers 6, Royals 5: Detroit wins in walk-off fashion on throwing error

DETROIT -- The Tigers started off their big weekend series with the Royals on the right note, walking off with a 6-5 victory at Comerica Park to move back into first place. Detroit managed a late rally against the typically strong Kansas City bullpen after first blowing a four-run lead and trailing 5-4 in the seventh inning. Anthony Gose crossed the plate to complete the comeback after doubling to lead off the inning, then scored when Royals reliever Yohan Pino threw a bunt by Ian Kinsler past first base.

The Tigers took a 4-0 lead in the second inning off Royals starter Yordano Ventura following a pair of two-run singles by Andrew Romine and Ian Kinsler. However, Detroit's own starter, lefthander David Price, stumbled a few innings later after starting the game strong for the first 3 1/3 innings. While he struck out only one and allowed four hits, 10 of the 13 batters faced on or out on three pitches or fewer. Of the three batters who went more than three pitches, only one lasted five.

For all that, though, Price became extremely hittable in the fourth after the first out was recorded. After needing no more than 11, eight, and 12 pitches respectively for the first three, Price failed to get out of the fourth with no less than 30. Eight batters, five hits, a two-run home run, and a game-tying run on a Nick Castellanos throwing error later, the game was tied 4-4.

Oddly enough, Price came back out to give two solid fifth and sixth innings. However, Price gave up three straight one-out hits in the seventh before he stepped on a bat behind home plate, and was removed from the game with an injury. Alex Wilson replaced Price and started an inning-ending double play. Angel Nesbitt then gave the Tigers a 12-pitch eighth inning.

As for the Tigers offense, it jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the second thanks to an aggressive running game by third base coach Dave Clark. Twice Tigers baserunners should have been out. Twice they got extremely lucky. Nick Castellanos knocked the ball out of Salvador Perez's glove for the first gift-run, and Andrew Romine narrowly avoided the tag to score.

They wouldn't get another run until the seventh. Anthony Gose's single and stolen base were followed by a walk to Ian Kinsler, and a force groundout by Victor Martinez tied the game at 5-5.

ROARS:

Dave Clark: In all fairness, this would be a hiss if Salvador Perez hangs onto the baseball. Clark's aggressive approach to send Castellanos and Romine home was a boneheaded move, but it worked and the Tigers scored four runs before recording an out.

Anthony Gose: Finished 3-for-4 and scored the winning run after his leadoff double in the ninth.

Ian Kinsler: Went 4-for-4 and laid down the bunt that led to the game-winning run. He also had a double and two RBI.

Tigers bullpen: Lockdown. No runs allowed.

HISSES:

David Price: Gave up five runs (four earned) on 13 hits, including a two-run home run. He struck out only one batter before being removed from the game in the seventh with an injury.

STREAKS AND STATS:

• Anthony Gose was caught attempting to steal second in the fourth. It was his second time being caught this season, and his first since April 10 against the Cleveland Indians.
• Anthony Gose's walk in the fourth was his fourth of the season, and his first since a two-walk day on April 27 at Minnesota against the Twins.
• Ian Kinsler's three hits handed him his 14th multi-hit game of the season, which leads the American League.
• J.D. Martinez struck out on three pitches in the fifth inning, continuing his 0-for-25 hitless streak. He's struck out on 16 of those at-bats.
• The 13 hits surrendered by David Price were a career-high.

WIN PROBABILITY GRAPH:

Source: FanGraphs