The Detroit Tigers finished the 2012 regular season with a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. While overshadowed by Miguel Cabrera's pursuit of the Triple Crown, the game was itself a pitching duel between Detroit starter Max Scherzer and Royals hurler Luis Mendoza.
The Tigers scored the game's lone run in the fifth inning, when an Austin Jackson double brought home Omar Infante. Jackson, Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Alex Avila, and Jhonny Peralta were all removed from the game early. Cabrera received a standing ovation from Kansas City fans in recognition of his achievement.
Scherzer pitched four scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out three. Tigers reliever Luis Marte got the win after throwing 3 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits. Luke Putkonen pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the year.
Mendoza got the loss despite conceding just one run over seven innings. The loss drops him to 8-10 on the season.
The Tigers finished the regular season with an 88-74 record, and will start the 2012 MLB Postseason Saturday in Detroit against the Oakland A's. The Royals close their year with a 72-90 record.