The Tigers drop their second straight season, as the Royals maintain first place in the AL Central.

Fri 5/8: Tigers 6 – Royals 5

The Tigers took a 4-0 lead in the 2nd inning thanks to a walk (by the slumping JD Martinez ) and five straight singles. Andrew Romine and Ian Kinsler both recorded 2 RBI in the inning, partly due to excellent slides coming into home by Nick Castellanos and the aforementioned Romine.

) and five straight singles. and both recorded 2 RBI in the inning, partly due to excellent slides coming into home by and the aforementioned Romine. After the Royals went ahead 5-4 in the top half of the inning, the Tigers responded in the bottom of the 7th. After Anthony Gose singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and Kinsler walked, Victor Martinez hit a weak grounder to the left side. Victor has not put much effort in running to first on infield ground balls recently, but he hustled enough to avoid the double play and allow the run to score.

singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and Kinsler walked, hit a weak grounder to the left side. Victor has not put much effort in running to first on infield ground balls recently, but he hustled enough to avoid the double play and allow the run to score. Tied in the bottom of the 9th, Gose led off the inning with a first-pitch double. Kinsler then laid down a bunt to move him to third, but reliever Yohan Pino threw the ball past first base allowing the Tigers to win the opener in walk-off fashion.

Sat 5/9: Royals 6 – Tigers 2

It took exactly one pitch for the Royals to take the lead against Anibal Sanchez , as Alcides Escobar lead off the game with a solo shot. Sanchez allowed a total of six hits and a walk during the first two frames as the Tigers were down 4-0 early.

, as Alcides Escobar lead off the game with a solo shot. Sanchez allowed a total of six hits and a walk during the first two frames as the Tigers were down 4-0 early. The Tigers looked to have a rally going in the bottom of the 2nd inning after one-out singles by Yoenis Cespedes and JD Martinez (his first hit since April). However, the Tigers were only able to score one run, even after putting men on the corners again with two outs.

and (his first hit since April). However, the Tigers were only able to score one run, even after putting men on the corners again with two outs. In the 4th inning the Tigers had men on first and second with only one out. Jeremy Guthrie buckled down and got Nick Castellanos and James McCann to strike out, ending the threat and preserving a 5-run Royals lead.

Sun 5/10: Royals 2 – Tigers 1

Shane Greene gave up back to back doubles to start off the 2nd inning, putting the Royals up 1-0. However, Greene bounced back very nicely and did not give up another hit until five innings later.

gave up back to back doubles to start off the 2nd inning, putting the Royals up 1-0. However, Greene bounced back very nicely and did not give up another hit until five innings later. With two outs in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Anthony Gose wound up on second after a bunt and an error. Ian Kinsler drove him home to tie the game at 1.

wound up on second after a bunt and an error. drove him home to tie the game at 1. In the bottom of the 9th inning, the Tigers wasted a golden opportunity with two men on and no outs following the two hour rain delay. The Royals then grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the 10th inning against Angel Nesbitt and held on to win, despite the Tigers loading the bases twice in the bottom half of the inning.

Anthony Gose had a good series, going 5/13 and scoring 3 runs. The impact of his speed was on display, as he scored the winning run on Friday and the Tigers first run on Sunday, both due to his lightning pace.

had a good series, going 5/13 and scoring 3 runs. The impact of his speed was on display, as he scored the winning run on Friday and the Tigers first run on Sunday, both due to his lightning pace. Perhaps the most impressive batter during the series was Ian Kinsler . He hit a cool 5/12 and has provided the consistency that few others have offered in recent weeks. Kinsler is still without a homer, but he has still produced 116 wRC+.

. He hit a cool 5/12 and has provided the consistency that few others have offered in recent weeks. Kinsler is still without a homer, but he has still produced 116 wRC+. Miguel Cabrera did not have the results to show it, but he made quality contact in many of his at bats. He ended the series with just 1 hit but does not appear to be in a slump offensively. Look for him to bounce back quickly.

did not have the results to show it, but he made quality contact in many of his at bats. He ended the series with just 1 hit but does not appear to be in a slump offensively. Look for him to bounce back quickly. Victor Martinez , Yoenis Cespedes , and JD Martinez had a slightly better series, but the heart of the lineup is still lacking. The three sluggers combined for a line of 7/32 with 6 BB .

, , and had a slightly better series, but the heart of the lineup is still lacking. The three sluggers combined for a line of 7/32 with 6 BB . As noted in a previous post, James McCann is now going to see a lot of action behind the plate. His series was nothing special, but he no longer looks as overmatched at the plate as he did earlier in the season.

David Price gave up an astonishing 13 hits and did not make it out of the 7th inning due to both a hamstring issue and quickly rising pitch count. However, he only gave up runs in the 4th inning, though four Royals wound up crossing the plate.

gave up an astonishing 13 hits and did not make it out of the 7th inning due to both a hamstring issue and quickly rising pitch count. However, he only gave up runs in the 4th inning, though four Royals wound up crossing the plate. Price left with men on first and second and just one out after the Royals regained the lead. Alex Wilson came into the game and got a huge double play to end the inning. Wilson now has a 2.89 ERA and 0.75 WHIP on the year.

came into the game and got a huge double play to end the inning. Wilson now has a 2.89 ERA and 0.75 WHIP on the year. Anibal Sanchez has historically owned the Royals, but he was not sharp on Saturday. He struggled from the very beginning and allowed 12 baserunners to go along with 5 ER. Sanchez had performed well in his past few starts, so it was disappointing to see such a sub-par performance.

has historically owned the Royals, but he was not sharp on Saturday. He struggled from the very beginning and allowed 12 baserunners to go along with 5 ER. Sanchez had performed well in his past few starts, so it was disappointing to see such a sub-par performance. Desperately in need of a good outing, Shane Greene returned to his early season form. He allowed just 4 hits in 8 innings, and induced an impressive amount of ground ball outs. This type of start was very encouraging to see from Greene.

returned to his early season form. He allowed just 4 hits in 8 innings, and induced an impressive amount of ground ball outs. This type of start was very encouraging to see from Greene. Brad Ausmus decided to use Joakim Soria in the top of the 9th during tie games on both Friday and Sunday. Both times he was successful in allowing no runs. Soria is absolutely the Tigers best reliever and one of the few reliable pieces of the bullpen.

UP NEXT & EXPECTED STARTERS

The Tigers are off Monday before a three game set with the Twins at Comerica.

Tue 5/12, 7:08 pm- Simon vs. Gibson

Wed 5/13, 7:08 pm- Lobstein vs. Nolasco

Thu 5/14, 1:08 pm- Sanchez vs. Pelfry