DETROIT, Mich. — As the third week of the MLB season winds down, the Detroit Tigers (7-14) have hit a rough patch. The Tigers entered Saturday with a 1-7 record in their last eight games. Since the mid-April sweep of the Astros, the Tigers dropped two straight series to the Athletics and the Pirates. Continuing the struggles, the Kansas City Royals (12-7) opened up the 4-game series with the Tigers with a 6-2 domination.
The Tigers and Royals were locked in a pitchers’ duel when the 5th inning rolled around. Tigers starter Matthew Boyd allowed two base hits to start the inning as the Royals started their threat. With runners on first and third, Boyd induced a possible inning-ending double-play ball. However, a high throw to 2nd from Jonathan Schoop allowed Andrew Benintendi to reach safely and Jorge Soler to score.
The very next play, a single to right, led to another defensive miscue. Victor Reyes tried to throw out Benintendi, advancing to third, but the ball deflected off Benintedni’s helmet and past third base. The deflection allowed Benintendi to score what turned out to be the winning run; the Tigers could only scrape one run across the plate as the Royals secured a 2-1 victory.
Elite Pitchers’ Duel
For the pitchers on both sides, the 5th inning was the only time either starter faced any issue. Boyd went 8 innings for the Tigers, giving up only 1 earned run while racking up 3 strikeouts. Excluding the 5th inning, Boyd was perfect; he retired the Royals in order in the other 7 innings.
Meanwhile, Brady Singer was equally effective for the Royals. He picked up his first win on the year with 7.0 IP, 1 ER, and 8 K’s. His lone earned run also came in the 5th inning as shortstop Willi Castro took an 0-2 slider deep to right (1st HR of the year).
“We had a hard time with Singer. Good pitcher, good young arm, and it looked like his ball was moving pretty late,” said Tigers manager AJ Hinch.
Tigers Offense Continues to Struggle
The Tigers are now 1-8 in their last nine games and hold the worst record in the American League. The offense lies at the center of the blame; their one run on Saturday gives them 67 total runs on the year, the 3rd lowest in the MLB. Over the tough nine-game stretch, the Tigers have only scored 15 runs and have been shut out twice.
Saturday was another continuation of those struggles. Singer was great, but the Tigers need to find a way to get their bats going. They managed just three hits on Saturday and just one run on the Castro homer.
 started the 4-game series off against the Tigers with a 6-2 domination on Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park.){kind=link}