Wenceel Pérez hits a 2-run drive for 1st big league homer as the Tigers beat the Royals 4-1
DETROIT - DETROIT (AP) — Wenceel Pérez hit a two-run drive for his first major league homer, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Sunday.
Jake Rogers also homered for the Tigers, who have won five of seven. It was Detroit’s 10th come-from-behind win of the season.
The Royals have lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 28: Wenceel Perez #46 high fives Matt Vierling #8 of the Detroit Tigers after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals during the bottom of the first inning at Comerica Park on April 28, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (
Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal (4-0) pitched seven innings of one-run ball. He struck out six while improving to 2-7 with a 4.65 ERA in 12 career games against the Royals.
Jason Foley pitched the ninth for his ninth save.
Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (1-3) permitted four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Kansas City took a 1-0 lead on Bobby Witt Jr.'s RBI single in the first, but Pérez put Detroit in front with a drive to right in the bottom half.
The Tigers made it 3-1 in the second when Rogers singled, took third on Parker Meadows’ double and scored on Riley Greene’s sacrifice fly.
Rogers added his second homer of the season in the sixth, and Skubal stranded runners on first and third in the seventh.
Kansas City’s Salvador Perez walked in the ninth, extending his on-base streak to 18 games.
UP NEXT
Royals: Start a three-game series Monday in Toronto. Kansas City is expected to call up RHP Jonathan Bowlan (2024 debut) from Triple-A Omaha to face RHP Yariel Rodriguez (0-1, 3.86 ERA).
Tigers: Start a three-game series Monday against St. Louis. RHP Kenta Maeda (0-1, 5.96 ERA) is scheduled to start against Cardinals LHP Steven Matz (1-2, 5.55 ERA).