K-Rod Implodes In 9th, Tigers' 5-Game Winning Streak Snapped
DETROIT (AP) — Paulo Orlando hit a tying, two-run double and Eric Hosmer followed with a three-run homer against Francisco Rodriguez, capping a ninth-inning comeback that led the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers 7-4 Saturday.
Given a 4-2 lead, Rodriguez (3-4) allowed singles to Alex Gordon and Hunter Dozier before Orlando's double. Cheslor Cuthbert walked and Hosmer hit his 24th homer.
Wade Davis (2-1) pitched a one-hit eighth and Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City's seventh pitcher, got three straight outs for his 12th save in 15 chances, ending a game that took 3 hours, 50 minutes. Rodriguez blew a save for the fifth time in 49 opportunities.
Detroit's five-game winning streak was stopped, and the Tigers dropped into a tie for the second AL wild card with Baltimore, which played Arizona at night.
Kansas City's tragic number for elimination from postseason contention remained at three. The Royals would be the fourth straight World Series champion failing to reach the playoffs in the season after a title.
Royals starter Yordano Ventura, 7-0 against Detroit in his career, allowed three runs and 10 hits in four innings, then left with back tightness. Kansas City said he is day to day.
Tigers starter Daniel Norris gave up , who was in line for his first career victory over Kansas City, received a no-decision after allowing two runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Alcides Escobar's sacrifice fly hit a sacrifice fly in the second, but the Tigers went ahead 3-1 on third-inning RBI singles by Cameron Maybin and J.D. Martinez, and Maybin's RBI single in the fourth.
Kendrys Morales homered leading off the sixth, becoming Kansas City's first player to reach 30 since Jermaine Dye hit 33 in 2000. Martinez's RBI single gave Detroit a 4-2 lead in the sixth.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: C Salvador Perez started after missing Friday night's game with a minor knee issue. He went 1 for 5 with a single.
Tigers: SS Jose Iglesias and 1B Miguel Cabrera started after sustaining minor hand injuries Friday.
UP NEXT
RHP Edinson Volquez (10-11) is to start Sunday's series finale for the Royals and LHP Matt Boyd (6-4) for the Tigers.
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