Kansas City Royals Lose as Ian Kinsler Hits Walkoff Home Run

Yordano Ventura‘s frustrating season for the Kansas City Royals continued today in the matinee matchup against the Detroit Tigers. However, the offense battled back, leaving the bullpen to suffer the rare letdown in the Royals 8-6 loss.

After a scoreless first, the Royals jumped on Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez. Consecutive singles by Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales opened the inning, then Mike Moustakas drew a walk to load the bases. Sanchez then walked Alex Rios to force in a run, and two pitches later, Omar Infante singled to center, giving the Royals a 3-0 lead.

With runners on second and third with no out, the Royals appeared to be poised to blow the game open. However, Sanchez was able to escape trouble, as Alcides Escobar‘s line drive with one out was unable to plate Rios from third.

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Detroit came right back in the bottom of the third against Ventura. Consecutive walks to lead off the inning put runners on first and second, and after a strikeout, Jose Iglesias hit an infield single to load the bases. It seemed as though Ventura would be able to escape when Ian Kinsler grounded to short, but he beat the throw for the double play, allowing a run to score. Victor Martinez followed with a three run home run, giving the Tigers a 4-3 lead.

Martinez struck again in the fifth. Anthony Gose reached on a bunt single to lead off the inning. After two quick outs, Martinez stepped to the plate and deposited Ventura’s 3-1 pitch to deep right for his second home run of the game, giving the Tigers a 6-3 lead.

The Royals answered in the top of the seventh. Drew Butera led off the inning with a solo home run, resulting in a hook for Sanchez. After a a double play, a stolen base and a walk, the Royals had runners on the corners for Morales, who doubled to left to tie the game at 6-6. With the outcome in the hands of the bullpen, one would have thought that the Royals would hold the advantage.

Instead, it was the Royals bullpen that blinked. Ryan Madson came in for the bottom of the ninth, and gave up a base hit to Iglesias. Kinsler followed by hammering Madson’s 2-0 offering to left for a walkoff two run home run, giving the Tigers the 8-6 victory.

Yordano Ventura continued to struggle for the Kansas City Royals, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings. At this point, it may be fair to wonder whether or not that respite from being sent to Omaha will be rescinded.

Morales was 3-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in the loss.

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