Royals 1 Tigers 0: Skooled by Skoglund

One day after the Detroit Tigers offense exploded for 10 runs, their bats were unable ... to do anything, really. Making his major league debut, Kansas City Royals starter Eric Skoglund took the bats right out of the Tigers’ hands, figuratively. The 24-year-old lefty held Detroit to just two hits over 6 ¹⁄₃ innings with just one walk and five strikeouts and left to a standing ovation as he tipped his cap to the cheering crowd.

Meanwhile the Tigers ace Justin Verlander did what he does so well to Kansas City and held their offense down. Verlander spun seven strong innings, limiting the Royals to one run on six hits, one walk, and five strikeouts. The lone run off Verlander came on a two-out flare into center off the bat of Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer with a runner on third. Unfortunately, this was a night where that blemish alone would prove to be too much for Detroit’s offense to overcome.

The Tigers simply could not get any pressure on the Royals pitchers tonight. Two of their three hits came in the first inning, which was also the only time they got a runner to second base all night.

ROARS:

Justin Verlander: The Tigers ace did what aces do and gave his team seven innings of one run ball with one walk and five strikeouts.

HISSES:

Tigers offense: Once again the lineup played Jekyll and Hyde and was held to just three hits on the evening.

STATS AND INFO:

• This marks the fifth shutout for the Tigers this year, fourth on the road. It also is just the second loss to a lefthanded starter on the road.
• In his first at bat of the game, Miggy showed his class by giving Skoglund a thumbs up and nod before stepping into the box.