Dillon Dingler drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out double in the eighth and the Detroit Tigers extended their winning streak to four games with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
Detroit, which swept Miami over the weekend, scored both of its runs in the eighth in the opener of the three-game series. Zach McKinstry scored on a wild pitch and Kevin McGonigle scored on Dingler’s second hit of the game.
The game featured a pitchers’ duel between the starters. Kansas City’s Cole Ragans allowed just one hit and no runs in six innings. He walked four and struck out one. Detroit’s Framber Valdez limited the Royals to one run and three hits in seven innings. He walked two and struck out one.
Both starters thrived on getting ground balls. Valdez’s replacement, Will Vest (1-2), took a different approach. He struck out all three batters he faced.
Kenley Jansen left a runner stranded at third while recording his third save of the season and 479th of his career. He surpassed Lee Smith for third place on the all-time saves list.
Carter Jensen knocked in the lone Kansas City run. The Royals have been held to two or fewer runs 10 times this season.
Royals left fielder Isaac Collins was removed from the game with a right knee injury in the first inning. He dove into the stands trying to catch a foul ball.
Kansas City pushed across its run in the second inning. Salvador Perez led off with a single and Vinnie Pasquantino hit into a fielder’s choice. Starling Marte singled and Jonathan India walked to load the bases. Jensen grounded into a fielder’s choice as Pasquantino scored.
Detroit’s rally began with McKinstry’s double to right off Nick Mears (1-1). He advanced to third on Gleyber Torres’ groundout. Pinch hitter Colt Keith hit a line drive that was snared by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. With McGonigle up, McKinstry scooted home on a Mears wild pitch.
McGonigle walked and scored from first on Dingler’s double down the left field line.
