Not counting Detroit's July 31 game vs. the Boston Red Sox that was called after the top of the sixth due to rain, Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander hadn't been knocked out of a game before the sixth inning in 2012. That changed on Tuesday night in Detroit's 9-8 loss to the Kansas City Royals, who hung eight earned runs on the Tigers ace in just 5.2 innings.
Despite Kansas City busting out to a 7-3 lead after the second inning, the Tigers managed to tie the game at eight after a Jhonny Peralta homer in the eighth inning off of Royals reliever Aaron Crow. That lead, though, would be short lived, as Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas broke the tie with a double off of Phil Coke that plated Lorenzo Cain (though the run was charged to Tigers reliever Brayan Villarreal).
The Tigers still found themselves in nearly perfect position to win the game. Austin Jackson made his way to third base with one out in the ninth inning with Royals closer Greg Holland on the mound and Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera at the plate, but Holland won the battle, striking Cabrera out. After an intentional walk of Prince Fielder, Delmon Young flied out to center to end the game.
The series will continue on Wednesday at 8:10 p.m. ET with Anibal Sanchez and Bruce Chen on the mound.
For more on the Tigers, be sure to visit Bless You Boys. If looking for Kansas City baseball information, Royals Review has you covered. For the best coverage of the league in general, check out Baseball Nation.
