Royals 12, Tigers 1
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Yordano Ventura won his fourth straight decision and Cheslor Cuthbert hit his first big league home run and drove in four runs as the Kansas City Royals crushed the Detroit Tigers 12-1 on Wednesday night.
Ventura (10-7) struck out 11, matching his career high set in his previous start, and allowed one run and five hits over seven innings. Ventura is 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his past five starts, allowing four runs on 21 hits while striking out 44 in 32 innings.
The Royals pounded four home runs. Designated hitter Kendrys Morales hit a three-run homer, hiking his RBI total to 94. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain and second baseman Ben Zobrist each hit solo home runs.
Cain also doubled and drove in three runs before leaving after the fourth with tightness in his left calf. Rookie Paulo Orlando stroked three extra-base hits -- two doubles and a triple.
The Tigers avoided a shutout when center fielder Anthony Gose led off the sixth with a triple and scored on second baseman Ian Kinsler's ground out.
The Tigers have lost 10 of 12 and are in last place in the AL Central after winning the four previous division titles.
Randy Wolf, a 39-year-old left-hander who was making his third start since the Tigers acquired him Aug. 20 from the Blue Jays, lasted just 3 2/3 innings. He was roughed up for eight runs on eight hits, including two home runs, three walks and a hit batter.
In the first inning, second baseman Ben Zobrist deposited an 0-1 Wolf curveball into the Royals' bullpen for his fifth home run in 31 games with Kansas City.
The second inning began with designated hitter Kendrys Morales singling. Right fielder Jonny Gomes, who was making his Royals debut, laced Wolf's first offering over the head of center fielder Anthony Gose for a double, sending Morales to third. That should not have been a surprise since Gomes is 13-for-24 (.542) in his career against Wolf.
When Wolf hit catcher Salvador Perez with a pitch to load the bases with no outs, plate umpire Quinn Wolcott issued a warning to both benches. Yordano Ventura hit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler with a pitch in the first inning.
Cuthbert's single to right scored Morales and Gomes, making it 3-0.
Center fielder Lorenzo Cain belted his 13th home run in the third.
The Royals exploded for five runs in the fourth, which included a two-run Cain double. After Wolf walked first baseman Eric Hosmer, reliever Guido Knudson took over. Knudson promptly surrendered a three-run homer to Morales on his second pitch, making it 9-0.
Cuthbert hit a two-run homer, his first in the majors, off Knudson in a three-run fifth. Left fielder Paulo Orlando tripled and scored on shortstop Alcides Escobar's single for the other run, and Kansas City led 12-0.
Cain left after the fourth with tightness in his left calf after fouling a pitch off his leg before his double. A club official said the move was precautionary, and the injury was not considered serious.
Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera was ejected in the fourth inning after he was called out on strikes. After a few choices words and antics with Wolcott, it was crew chief Gary Cederstrom, the third base umpire, who thumbed Cabrera.
NOTES: Tigers LHP Al Alburquerque has not pitched since Aug. 24 because of right hip and upper leg soreness. He had a MRI on Wednesday. ... Jonny Gomes started in right field for the Royals, who acquired him in a Monday trade with the Braves. ... Royals All-Star LF Alex Gordon was held out of the lineup. He missed 48 games with a groin injury before returning Tuesday and manager Ned Yost wants to ease him back. ... The Tigers entered Wednesday with a 31-20 record against AL Central opponents. Only the Royals have a better record within the division. ... Tigers rookie LHP Matt Boyd and Royals RHP Edinson Volquez are the probable starters for the series finale on Thursday.