Cuthbert's hit gives Royals 13-inning win over Tigers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Cheslor Cuthbert's 13th-inning single with the bases loaded drove in the winning run as the Kansas City Royals downed the Detroit Tigers 2-1 Sunday.
It was the Royals' fifth walk-off victory this season.
Cuthbert's single scored Lorenzo Cain, who ran for Salvador Perez after the catcher led off the inning with a single. After an error, Paulo Orlando's sacrifice bunt and intentional walks to Kendrys Morales and Brett Eibner, rookie Cuthbert delivered the game-winning single.
Chien-Ming Wang (4-0) picked up the victory. Left-hander Kyle Ryan (1-2), who was just recalled from Triple-A Toledo, took the loss.
Peter Moylan, the fifth Kansas City pitcher, worked 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one single before being succeeded by Chien-Ming Wang.
Chris Young, who has given up 19 home runs and at least one in each of his 10 starts, surrendered a home run to Steven Moya on his first pitch in the fourth. Moya's first big-league homer sailed out to right, an estimated 421 feet.
The Royals tied it in the fifth after Morales led off with a single to right, his 11th time reaching base in this series. Orlando's laser double off the left-field fence moved Morales to third. Eibner's slow roller to shortstop Jose Iglesias got Morales home, the sixth time he crossed the plate in the four-game series.
Young left after six innings and 86 pitches, giving up one run on three hits, while walking one and striking out seven. He lowered his home ERA to 2.40, while he is 0-4 with a 9.70 ERA on the road.
Detroit's Jordan Zimmermann was pulled after eight innings, giving up one run on four hits, while striking out five and walking none. It was Zimmermann's first no-decision this season after going 9-3 in his first dozen starts.
Left-hander Justin Wilson relieved Zimmermann in the ninth and immediately flirted with danger, hitting Jarrod Dyson with his first pitch. Wilson, however, got out of the mess after Whit Merrifield popped up a bunt to Miguel Cabrera in foul ground and picked Dyson off first base. Alcides Escobar flew out to right to end the inning.
The Royals' big three in the bullpen -- Joakim Soria, Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis -- held the Tigers hitless the next three innings, propelling the game into extra innings.
NOTES: The Tigers recalled RHP Bruce Rondon and LHP Kyle Ryan from Triple-A Toledo. Both will be used in relief. The team optioned LHPs Matt Boyd and Blaine Hardy to the Mud Hens after the 16-5 loss Saturday to the Royals. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he has not yet decided who will take Boyd's place in the rotation. ... CF Lorenzo Cain was not in the Royals' lineup, given a day off. Manager Ned Yost said "two" with the Royals idle on Monday. ... Tigers 2B Ian Kinsler, who has a career .316 average with 17 home runs against the Royals, was rested Sunday. Ausmus noted he had played in 17 straight games. Mike Aviles got the start at second. ... Tigers RHP Mike Pelfrey will start Monday against the Mariners at Comerica Park. Seattle will start RHP Nathan Karns. ... RHP Ian Kennedy will start Tuesday for the Royals at the Mets, who will counter with RHP Noah Syndergaard.