The Tigers bounced back after dropping the first two games to split the series in Kansas City.

Thu 4/30: Royals 8 – Tigers 1

The Royals opened the scoring in the 3rd inning with some hard hit balls. Alfredo Simon gave up double to Mike Moustakas and a homer to Eric Hosmer to put the Tigers down 3-0.

gave up double to Mike Moustakas and a homer to Eric Hosmer to put the Tigers down 3-0. Alex Wilson came in to relieve Simon in the 5th inning and was very ineffective. He allowed the inherited runner to score and gave up two more runs while just recording two outs, increasing the deficit to 8.

came in to relieve Simon in the 5th inning and was very ineffective. He allowed the inherited runner to score and gave up two more runs while just recording two outs, increasing the deficit to 8. The Tigers finally got on the board in the 8th inning thanks to a Jose Iglesias triple and a Rajai Davis single. However, the heart of the order was unable to produce any more runs, despite having runners on first and second with no outs.

Fri 5/1: Royals 4 – Tigers 1

Kyle Lobstein struggled in the 1st inning, retiring the first two batters he faced, but allowing the next five to reach base. By the time the inning ended, the Royals had already grabbed a 3-0 lead.

struggled in the 1st inning, retiring the first two batters he faced, but allowing the next five to reach base. By the time the inning ended, the Royals had already grabbed a 3-0 lead. The Tigers were in a great position to cut into the 4-0 deficit in the 4th inning, benefiting from three straight Chris Young walks. However, with one out and the bases loaded, both JD Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes struck out in very disappointing at bats.

and struck out in very disappointing at bats. After Nick Castellanos finally broke up the combined no-hitter in the 8th inning, the Tigers again had the bases loaded with just one out. This time Miguel Cabrera had an intense 10-pitch battle with Kelvin Herrera and Victor Martinez hit a deep fly ball to left field, as the Tigers failed to capitalize on another crucial opportunity.

Sat 5/2: Tigers 2 – Royals 1

In the top of the 3rd inning the Tigers had two on and no outs. Ian Kinsler hit a ground ball to second and Anthony Gose charged hard into the base, breaking up the double play. Shortstop Christian Colon was sufficiently deterred and errantly threw the ball past first, allowing Rajai Davis to score the game’s first run.

charged hard into the base, breaking up the double play. Shortstop Christian Colon was sufficiently deterred and errantly threw the ball past first, allowing Rajai Davis to score the game’s first run. Gose doubled in the 5th inning and for just the Tigers fourth hit of the game. With Kinsler at the plate, Gose took off with the pitch and was able to score when Kinsler laced a single into the outfield, putting the Tigers up 2-0.

doubled in the 5th inning and for just the Tigers fourth hit of the game. With at the plate, Gose took off with the pitch and was able to score when Kinsler laced a single into the outfield, putting the Tigers up 2-0. The Royals had one on and one out in the 6th inning when Alex Gordon hit a weak grounder back to David Price. Instead of turning an inning-ending double play, Price misplayed the ball to put men on first and second. However, he bounced back well and got the next hitter, Mike Moustakas, to ground into a successful double play, keeping the Royals off the board.

Sun 5/3: Tigers 6 – Royals 4

To lead off the 3rd inning, Jose Iglesias reached base on an infield single and advanced to second by smartly tagging up on a flyout. However, his aggressiveness backfired when he strayed too far off of second and was tagged out on an Ian Kinsler double play groundout.

reached base on an infield single and advanced to second by smartly tagging up on a flyout. However, his aggressiveness backfired when he strayed too far off of second and was tagged out on an Ian Kinsler double play groundout. The Tigers were in a familiar position during the 4th inning on Sunday, loading the bases with only one out. Alex Avila hit a shot into the gap, scoring all three runners with the help from the speed of Yoenis Cespedes and a fielding error by Paulo Orlando.

hit a shot into the gap, scoring all three runners with the help from the speed of and a fielding error by Paulo Orlando. Tom Gorzelanny came on in the 8th inning with the Tigers up by 4. He faced four batters and only retired two of them, allowing a couple of runs to score and narrowing the lead to 6-4.

Anthony Gose went 3/12 during the series, but was productive offensively on Friday, knocking in the Tigers only run of the game. Comparatively, Rajai Davis was just 1/7 against KC.

went 3/12 during the series, but was productive offensively on Friday, knocking in the Tigers only run of the game. Comparatively, Rajai Davis was just 1/7 against KC. The Royals were clearly afraid of Miguel Cabrera , walking him a total of four times. It is clear why they took this approach, as he went 4/12 in his other at bats, adding a 2-run homer on Sunday.

, walking him a total of four times. It is clear why they took this approach, as he went 4/12 in his other at bats, adding a 2-run homer on Sunday. Victor Martinez is finally showing some life, making solid contact on the ball. He did not have the best series, but many of his outs were well hit, especially compared to what he has produced in recent series.

is finally showing some life, making solid contact on the ball. He did not have the best series, but many of his outs were well hit, especially compared to what he has produced in recent series. JD Martinez has really struggled lately, prompting Brad Ausmus to give him the night off on Saturday. He struck out an alarming 8 times in 12 at bats and did not look very dangerous at the plate.

has really struggled lately, prompting Brad Ausmus to give him the night off on Saturday. He struck out an alarming 8 times in 12 at bats and did not look very dangerous at the plate. In addition to his solid defense, Yoenis Cespedes had a good series both at the plate and on the bases. He tallied 5 hits and was able to score 2 runs thanks to his speed on the basepaths.

had a good series both at the plate and on the bases. He tallied 5 hits and was able to score 2 runs thanks to his speed on the basepaths. Alex Avila went a modest 3/11 but really made an impact in the final game. He knocked in the Tigers first run of the game, and later cleared the bases on a key single to right-center.

Alfredo Simon recorded 6 strikeouts, but he otherwise struggled with his command and gave up some hard hit balls. He did not make it out of the 5th inning and gave up 6 runs.

recorded 6 strikeouts, but he otherwise struggled with his command and gave up some hard hit balls. He did not make it out of the 5th inning and gave up 6 runs. With the game already out of reach, Angel Nesbitt threw a scoreless 8th inning with 2 strikeouts. It is always beneficial when relievers can rack up positive outings, especially coming from a bullpen like the Tigers.

threw a scoreless 8th inning with 2 strikeouts. It is always beneficial when relievers can rack up positive outings, especially coming from a bullpen like the Tigers. The beginning of his start looked like another rough outing for Kyle Lobstein , but he wound up settling in pretty well. After giving up 3 runs in the 1st inning, he only allowed one more through the remainder of the game and was able to pitch into the 8th, keeping the Tigers withing striking distance.

, but he wound up settling in pretty well. After giving up 3 runs in the 1st inning, he only allowed one more through the remainder of the game and was able to pitch into the 8th, keeping the Tigers withing striking distance. David Price was outstanding, throwing a complete game in just over 100 pitches. He only struck out three, but allowed just 5 hits without walking anyone. His lone blemish was a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, but he managed to hold on for a 2-1 victory.

was outstanding, throwing a complete game in just over 100 pitches. He only struck out three, but allowed just 5 hits without walking anyone. His lone blemish was a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, but he managed to hold on for a 2-1 victory. The Tigers closed the series with quality starts by both Price and Anibal Sanchez . Sanchez carried a perfect game into the 6th inning and allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, striking out four and walking just one.

. Sanchez carried a perfect game into the 6th inning and allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, striking out four and walking just one. Because of the two losses to start the series and then Price’s gem on Saturday, Joakim Soria was only needed in the series finale. His 1-2-3 9th inning made him 10 for 10 on the year in save opportunities, tying him for the major league lead.

UP NEXT & EXPECTED STARTERS

The Tigers are off on Monday before starting a three game set with the White Sox.

Tue 5/5, 8:10 pm- Greene vs. Samardzija

Wed 5/6, 8:10 pm- Simon vs. Sale

Thu 5/7, 2:10 pm- Lobstein vs. Quintana