Tigers' struggles at plate continue in another loss to Royals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- For the second straight game, the Detroit Tigers managed only four hits.
That doesn't mean manager Brad Ausmus thought his team gave a lackluster effort.
Lorenzo Cain went 4 for 4 with a home run and Yordano Ventura pitched six scoreless innings as the AL Central-leading Kansas City Royals defeated the Tigers 6-1 on Tuesday night.
"Every time you guys ask me about slacking, it's when we don't hit," Ausmus said. "That's just the way it is. When you don't hit it looks like you don't have energy because you're not running the bases."
The Tigers went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine overall.
In addition to the offense lagging, Anthony Gose was picked off first base by catcher Salvador Perez, left fielder Tyler Collins dropped a routine fly ball, starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez gave up three home runs and James McCann was thrown out at the plate when he attempted to score from first base on Jefry Marte's double.
"The error in left was a lack of focus," Ausmus said. "A guy like Gose, his asset is his legs. He was trying to use it; he just got caught a little too far off. We have been picked off more than we should."
Ausmus did not question the decision to send McCann home in the fourth.
"That was a good time to go home -- two outs and the bottom of the order," Ausmus said. "I thought it was the right move to go home. They had to make two perfect throws."
Sanchez (10-10) yielded homers to Cain, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, bringing the right-hander's season total to 28 -- tied for most in the American League.
"I don't know what to say about it," Sanchez said. "I don't know what's happened. I don't get rattled. I just give up the home runs."
Sanchez yielded only 13 homers combined in the past two seasons.
"I don't think anyone could have predicted that Anibal Sanchez would have 28 home runs in the middle of August, based on his history," Ausmus said.
Yordano Ventura (7-7), who is 3-1 since the All-Star break, limited the Tigers to two hits but walked a career-high six. He struck out eight, matching his season high.
Hosmer hit a two-run homer in the first, giving him 21 RBIs in the opening inning.
Moustakas also stroked a run-scoring single in the eighth for his third three-RBI game of the year.
The Tigers snapped a season-worst 17-inning scoreless drought with a run in the seventh against reliever Franklin Morales. Pinch-hitter Rajai Davis' sacrifice fly scored Marte, who led off with a double.
Luke Hochevar worked 2 2-3 spotless innings for his first save since Aug. 8, 2013, against Boston.
DEFENSIVE DANDIES
The Royals made five defensive gems, including throwing out McCann at the plate when he attempted to score on Marte's double to deep left-center. "I was surprised," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "I didn't think they had a chance to get him. I was shocked they did. When (Jarrod) Dyson made a good throw to Esky (shortstop Alcides Escobar), I still didn't think they had a chance. The defense was just spectacular tonight."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Tigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera (left calf strain) took batting practice and could come off the disabled list this weekend for a series at Houston.
Royals: Perez left after seven innings with inflammation in his sore wrist, which has been bothering him for a few days, Yost said. ... RHP Wade Davis (stiff back) has not pitched since Thursday.
UP NEXT
Tigers: Rookie LHP Daniel Norris makes his third start since being acquired in a trade with the Blue Jays.
Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez, who is 1-3 with a 4.98 ERA in four career starts against Detroit, draws the assignment for the series finale.
