Kansas City Royals Declaw Detroit Tigers 8-1

Last season, the Detroit Tigers were the Kansas City Royals kryptonite. The Royals were 6-13 against the Tigers, a major reason as to why they finished a game back last year. While it is just an early season series, one had to feel that the Royals consider this four game set a true measuring stick of their progress. For one night, the Royals had to be pleased with the result, as they dismantled the Tigers 8-1.

More from KC Royals News

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update

Both the Royals and the tigers had their chances in the first, putting two runners on with two outs, but the game remained scoreless heading into the bottom of the third. Alex Gordon, batting leadoff for the first time this season, singled with one out, then scored on Mike Moustakas‘ double to deep right. After a strikeout, Eric Hosmer smoked Alfredo Simon‘s first pitch of the at bat to deep center for a two run home run, giving the Royals a 3-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Danny Duffy had settled in for the Royals, working his way through the Tigers lineup and keeping Detroit off balance. Kansas City loaded the bases in the fourth, but Simon was able to escape without any damage. However, he was unable to continue that tightrope act in the fifth.

Lorenzo Cain led off the inning with a base hit to center, then stole second. With one out, Kendrys Morales continued to reward Dayton Moore’s faith, drilling a double to deep right to plate Cain. Morales scored four pitches later, as Salvador Perez chipped in a double of his own. A pair of two out singles and a stolen base led to two more runs, and the Kansas City Royals held an 8-0 lead after five.

While the Tigers got a run back in the top of the eighth after Jose Iglesias tripled and scored on a base hit, the game was never in doubt from that point forward. Duffy pitched into the eighth, giving up one run on seven hits and two walks, striking out seven in his best outing of the season.

Jarrod Dyson was 3-4 with a run scored, and three Royals had two hits each in the resounding victory.

Next: Royals Drop Two Spots in Power Rankings