Michael Wacha delivered a dominant performance, allowing just two hits over seven scoreless innings, while Bobby Witt Jr. raced around the bases for a two-run inside-the-park home run and Michael Massey added a conventional three-run blast on Saturday night. The host Kansas City Royals defeated the struggling Detroit Tigers 5-1.
Wacha (4-2), who turns 35 in July and carries a 2.63 ERA, surrendered only a single to Kerry Carpenter and a double to Spencer Torkelson, walking two and striking out six on 89 pitches. The win gave Kansas City the first two games of the three-game series. The Royals, who secured their first series win over Detroit since August 2024, improved to 12-5 after an eight-game losing streak.
Riley Greene drove in a run with an eighth-inning double for the Tigers, who managed just four hits while matching a season high with their fifth straight loss. Detroit had swept a three-game home set against the Royals during Kansas City’s extended skid last month, but now faces the possibility of a similar fate this weekend.
The Royals struck quickly against Detroit opener Burch Smith (0-2). Maikel Garcia led off the bottom of the first with a double into the left-center gap and scored one batter later when Witt sliced a pitch down the right-field line. Carpenter misplayed the ball off the sidewall, allowing it to roll far enough for Witt to circle the bases for his fifth homer of the season and his second career inside-the-park home run. Carpenter exited shortly after with left shoulder soreness from hitting the wall.
Kansas City extended the lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning. With Ty Madden on the mound for Detroit, Carter Jensen drew a one-out walk and Jac Caglianone singled. After two outs, Massey drove a pitch out to right-center field for a three-run homer, giving the Royals a commanding advantage.
The Tigers, who have scored only 11 runs in their last five games, finally got on the board against Matt Strahm in the eighth. Kevin McGonigle led off with a single and later scored on Greene’s two-out double.
