Tigers Top Royals 8-7
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The Royals rallied in the ninth inning but the Detroit Tigers hold on to beat Kansas City 8-7 on Saturday.
As heard on 97.1 The Ticket - the Tigers went into the final inning up by four runs but the Royals kept the pressure on scoring three in the ninth inning.
Prince Fielder's two-run homer tied the game in the first, and Delmon Young had a two-run homer to pad the lead in the seventh inning. For Young, it was his third home run in as many games.
Detroit closer Jose Valverde started the ninth with a four-run lead and almost lost it.
Valverde walked Alex Gordon on four pitches to lead off the inning, gave up a double to Alcides Escobar and walked Eric Hosmer to load the bases. All-Star Billy Butler hit a two-run single to pull Kansas City within two runs.
Yuniesky Betancourt nearly hit a go-ahead, three-run homer on a fly center fielder Austin Jackson tracked down near the wall in left-center. Jackson charged to make an underhanded catch on Mike Moustakas sacrifice fly for the second out and Jeff Francoeur struck out.
The Tigers (43-42) move above .500 for the first time since May 10th. The win gives Detroit a four game win streak, it's longest win streak since April.
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