Tigers Run Roughshod Over Royals in 16-4 Defeat

The last time that Jeremy Guthrie and Drew Smyly faced one another, the Royals righty was stellar, outduelling Smyly in a 2-1 victory for Kansas City. This time, Guthrie was unable to replicate that performance, getting hammered as the Detroit Tigers annihilated the Kansas City Royals 16-4.

The Tigers offense started out quickly against Guthrie. Consecutive singles to start the game put runners at the corners, and a groundout by Miguel Cabrera put Detroit on the board. After a walk, Torii Hunter followed with an RBI single and Nick Castellanos had a sacrifice fly to give Detroit a quick 3-0 lead.

Kansas City got a run back in the bottom of the second. With two out, Alcides Escobar singled to shallow right, stole second and came around to score on a bloop single by Jarrod Dyson, cutting the lead to 3-1. However, Detroit came back in the top of the fourth, loading the bases with one out. Ian Kinsler hit a sacrifice fly to score a run and Cabrera followed with a drive to left for a two run double as the Tigers posted another three run inning.

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Billy Butler trimmed the lead once again in the bottom of the inning, hitting a solo home run into the waterfalls in left. With the Tigers up 6-2, there still existed a chance that the Royals could chip away and mount a comeback. Those hopes were, however, quickly dashed in the top of the fifth inning.

Jeremy Guthrie came out to start the inning, but did not last long. Hunter continued his ownership of all Royals pitching, hammering a home run to left. An infield single by Castellanos marked the end of the night for Guthrie, who was repalced by Scott Downs. Downs fooled absolutely no one in the Tigers order, lasting three batters before being relieved by Louis Coleman. Meanwhile, the Tigers continued their batting practice performance, plating eight runs as they sent twelve men to the plate, breaking the game open and taking a 14-2 lead.

The game was essentially over at that point. After another Tigers run, Eric Hosmer had a two run home run for Kansas City to cut the lead to 15-4. Detroit tacked on another tally in the top of the ninth before the game mercifully ended, as the Tigers handed the Royals a 16-4 defeat.

Guthrie took the loss, giving up eight runs on eight hits and three walks in 4+ innings of work. As a team, the Royals gave up 19 hits and five walks to Detroit, as every person wearing a Tigers uniform who batted had at least one hit and one run scored. At least it was just one game, and the Royals still have a chance to win the series and cut into the Tigers’ lead in the Central.

For the Royals, Eric Hosmer brought his hitting streak to ten games as he was 2-4 with a two run home run in the loss.

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