Tigers 8, Royals 6
DETROIT -- Ian Kinsler hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and designated hitter Victor Martinez blasted two home runs and drove in five runs to lead the Detroit Tigers to an 8-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.
Kinsler ripped a 2-0 pitch from Ryan Madson (1-2) over the left-field wall after shortstop Jose Iglesias led off the inning with a single. It was the sixth home run of the season for the Detroit second baseman.
Martinez hit a three-run homer in the third and a two-run blast in the fifth. He was batting .230 with one home run in 135 at-bats at home this season entering the game. His last multi-homer game was Sept. 17, 2010, when he played for Boston.
Alex Wilson (2-3) picked up the win, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the ninth. Starter Anibal Sanchez allowed four runs and five hits in six-plus innings for the Tigers (53-55).
Designated hitter Kendrys Morales and second baseman Omar Infante drove in two runs apiece for the Royals (63-44). Catcher Drew Butera added a solo home run.
Kansas City starter Yordano Ventura gave up six runs and eight hits in five innings. Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez allowed four runs and five hits in six-plus innings.
The Royals grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second. They loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before Sanchez walked right fielder Alex Rios to force in a run. Infante followed with a two-run single, but Sanchez settled down and retired the next three batters.
Behind Martinez's first home run of the game, the Tigers erased the Royals' lead in the third. Ventura got into trouble by walking the first two batters. With the bases loaded and one out, Kinsler hit into a fielder's choice to push across Detroit's first run. Martinez followed with a fly ball that barely carried over the right-field wall, giving the Tigers a 4-3 advantage.
Martinez's two-run shot in the fifth gave Detroit a three-run lead as he crushed Ventura's hanging breaking pitch on a 3-1 count.
Kansas City tied it in the seventh. Butera led off the inning with his first homer of the season. That was the last batter Sanchez faced, but relievers Neftali Feliz and Blaine Hardy couldn't hold the lead. Morales drilled a two-out, two-run double off Hardy to tie it at 6.
NOTES: Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera remains on track to return from his left calf strain sometime this month, manager Brad Ausmus said. Cabrera, who is taking batting practice, has been on the 15-day disabled list since July 4. "It wouldn't shock me if he's playing by the end of the road trip or the beginning of the next homestand," Ausmus said. The Tigers' next road trip runs Aug. 10-19. ... Kansas City 1B Eric Hosmer had 12 multi-hit games in his first 20 games since the All-Star break. "It's just a matter of coming here and getting your routine down and staying confident at the plate," he said. ... The Royals won 11 of their last 14 day games. ... Tigers LHP Daniel Norris, who won his first start with the team at Baltimore on Sunday, will start the opener of a three-game series against Boston on Friday. He was acquired in the deal last week that sent ace David Price to Toronto.