Royals' home win streak ends at eight as Tigers triumph 7-4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals manager Ned Yost is quick to go to his lockdown bullpen if his team has a lead late and the starter gets in any trouble.
However, Yost didn't do that in Kansas City's 7-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers Wednesday night.
With the Royals up 4-2, the Tigers loaded the bases with none out in the eighth off right-hander Edinson Volquez. Kelvin Herrera had warmed up and was ready to come in.
Yost stuck with Volquez, who gave up a two-run double to Ian Kinsler, before he summoned Herrera.
"That's my fault, too," Yost said. "I've got a pretty hard-and-fast rule that I don't let my starter get beat in the eighth inning, and I did it there. It cost Eddie a win and cost us a win."
Volquez yielded two runs in the first two innings, but had retired 13 in a row entering the ninth.
"I thought he was throwing the ball really well," Yost said. "I can't really remember many baserunners from the second inning on. He just kept pounding that sinker getting out after out after out. You look at a heavy sinker for a groundball. Kelvin with a hard fastball is a flyball guy.
"I'm really looking for a groundball there. That's the reason I stuck with him. Once he had the walk and swinging bunt, I put him in jeopardy at that point because the winning run is on. I'm not going to let a reliever come in and give up his runs. Get the groundball and he did, but not at anyone."
The loss snapped the Royals' eight-game home winning streak, their longest since winning their first 11 games in 2003 at Kauffman Stadium.
Volquez, who had given up three or fewer runs in his previous seven starts, was charged with six runs, five earned, on eight hits over seven-plus innings.
"My pitch count was good," Volquez said. "They decided to leave me in and I was really happy to be there. I don't get frustrated ever. It's tough. It's a tough loss for the team. We were winning at home. We take the lead and keep it for a little bit and I lost it in one inning."
J.D. Martinez's single off Volquez scored Iglesias. Kinsler scored on Tyler Collins' fielder's choice grounder for the final eighth-inning run.
Neftali Feliz (2-3), the former Texas Rangers closer, picked up the victory, retiring all three batters he faced. Bruce Rondon worked the ninth to log his second save in as many chances.
Lorenzo Cain had two of the Royals' hits, including a double, and scored a run. He is 11 for 19 (.579 average) on this homestand. Four of the Royals' six hits went for extra bases, including Alcides Escobar's RBI triple in the third. Escobar scored on the play on Iglesias' throwing error.
Tigers rookie left-hander Daniel Norris, who was acquired from Toronto in the David Price trade, permitted four runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
KEEP THAT BALL
After Ben Zobrist walked and Cain singled with one out in the fifth, Ausmus strolled to the mound and Norris gave him the ball. Ausmus gave him the ball back, keeping him in the game.
"It shows he has confidence in me, has confidence in my stuff and my competitive nature," Norris said. "The first thing he said, like was, 'I'm not taking you out, I just want to give you a breather.'"
Norris promptly got out of the jam when Eric Hosmer grounded into a double play.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera (left calf strain) took batting practice, fielded groundballs at first base and ran the bases. If all goes well, Cabrera should come off the disabled list Friday at Houston.
Royals: C Salvador Perez (sore left wrist) had an MRI on Wednesday. "He's got a little fluid in his joint and a little bit of a bone bruise," Yost said. Perez did not play Wednesday and will also sit out Thursday, Yost said. ... RHP Wade Davis, who has missed the past six games with back stiffness, threw a bullpen session Wednesday and could be available Thursday.
