Royals 7, Tigers 0: Detroit out-hits Royals, gets shut out because baseball is weird

The Detroit Tigers collected more hits than the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, but a shoddy bullpen, even worse defense, and a complete lack of power at the plate all conspired to result in an embarrassing 7-0 loss at Comerica Park.

While Detroit had more hits than their opponents, the Royals did more damage with theirs. Jorge Soler hit a two-run home run off Spencer Turnbull in the top of the fourth, just one of three hits Turnbull allowed on the evening. Whit Merrifield and Hunter Dozier added extra-base hits, both of the run-scoring variety, later in the game.

The Tigers, meanwhile, did not record a single extra-base hit in the game, and only had two at-bats with runners in scoring position (they went 0-for-2, naturally). Royals starter Mike Montgomery looked like prime Clayton Kershaw, throwing seven scoreless innings while striking out 12 hitters to zero walks. Kevin McCarthy and Ian Kennedy both allowed a hit in their respective innings of relief, but were otherwise solid.

And yeah, that was about it for this one. I only half paid attention, as many Tigers fans are wont to do these days — if they even turn on the TV at all. The loss marks Detroit’s 79th of the season; they only have 46 more chances to lose (47 if you count that suspended game) remaining in 2019.

Five takeaways from our own Zane Harding, who made the unfortunate decision to attend this game in person.

• Spencer Turnbull was great. His first quality start in quite some time.
• Mike Montgomery was better, with 12 strikeouts.
• The defense was a joke. Three separate horrible gaffes: one by Jordy Mercer, and two messy ones in the outfield.
• At one point the Royals had four runs on three hits.
• Dawel Lugo and Travis Demeritte both had awesome plays.