Tigers 10, Royals 8: Early pitching implosions end in walk-off victory

This game had a little bit of everything, and was certainly never a boring affair.

Like home runs? Well, we’ve got curly fries tonight on both sides, with plenty of souvenirs hitting the outfield seats. Like injuries? Well, that’s a little weird, but we had one of those too, in the form of a JaCoby Jones hit by pitch that removed the center fielder from the game. It was ruled a contusion and the x-rays were negative, but it was a pretty rough hit to the wrist in the second inning, so I wouldn’t expect Jones back by tomorrow.

If starting pitching is your thing, then this game wasn’t a great one for either team. Royals starter Jorge Lopez went a mere 1 ¹⁄₃ inning and gave up five runs — only four earned — on two hits and three walks. All this damage came in the second inning, aided by a Merrifield error, giving up a three-run home run to Harold Castro. Then Lopez loaded the bases (including the pinch runner for Jones’s hit by pitch), and proceeded to walk in two runs. Needless to say Lopez did not finish the second inning.

Matthew Boyd didn’t fare much better. He gave up a first inning home run to Hunter Dozier, then gave up another home run to Dozier to start the third. After a second walk to Soler, he then gave up a home run to Cuthbert, and suddenly the game was tied. Boyd did not make it through the third, going 2 ²⁄₃ and gave up five runs on six hits. It was not his best night.

Victor Reyes scored Castro on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the third to pull the Tigers back ahead, then in the bottom of the fourth, Miguel Cabrera hit a bomb.

Matt Hall, just called up from Triple-A Toledo today had a great first outing, except that two of his runners were on base in the sixth when Cisnero gave up a home run to Alex Gordon. Three runs scored, two falling to Hall, one to Cisnero. The Royals reclaimed the lead.

Not for long, however, as new Tiger Travis Demeritte hit his first major league home run in the bottom of the seventh to give the Tigers a tie.

Joe Jimenez came on in the ninth to pitch a very good, scoreless inning. I should also mention Buck Farmer pitched a scoreless eighth inning.

The ninth saw Demeritte get on base, then get advanced to scoring position by an absolutely perfect bunt from Jake Rogers (we stan a man who can do it all). Then Jordy Mercer hit a home run.

Jordy. Mercer. Hit. A. Home. Run.

The Tigers win in walk-off fashion. 10-8.