By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Royals led most of the game against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, but slipped late as the bullpen collapsed in an 11 inning 6-5 loss.
Vinnie Pasquantino opened the scoring for the Royals in the sixth inning on his 15th home run of the season. But the Tigers would tie the game up in the bottom half third baseman Andy Ibanez singling to score first baseman Bligh Madris.
Kansas City took the lead back in the seventh thanks to a recently acquired player as third baseman Paul DeJong blasted his 19th home run, and his first as a Royal, to left field and scoring Michael Massey for a 3-1 lead.
Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen was solid in his debut for the Royals giving up just one run over 5.2 innings and striking out five batters. Relievers Sam Long and Lucas Erceg pitched 2.1 hitless innings, striking out one batter each.
Kansas City would call on Hunter Harvey to get the save, but the Tigers hit the reliever hard, Madris hitting his first home run of the season to get within one run, before a double from shortstop Javier Baez scored third baseman Zack McKinstry to tie the game. It was Harvey's third blown save.
The Royals did take the lead back in the top of the tenth inning, a Bobby Witt Jr sacrifice fly scoring Kyle Isbel. But the Tigers would again tie the game in the bottom half on a double from designated hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy to score right fielder Wenceel Pérez.
After Kansas City scored another run in the 11th inning, Hunter Renfroe singling to bring in Dairon Blanco, the Royals called on James McArthur to close the door, but Detroit would again score on some clutch hits.
After Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows to lead off the frame, scoring outfielder Ryan Vilade, McArthur would intentionally walk Baez to put runners on the corners. But after catcher Jake Rogers grounded into a double play, Perez would single and score Meadows for the walkoff win.
It was the sixth blown save of the season for McArthur and his fifth loss as his ERA ballooned up to 5.32.
The Royals will now look to secure a series win over the Tigers on Sunday. Michael Wacha is set to start the finale against a starter to be determined by Detroit. First pitch is at 12:40 with pregame at noon on KFEQ.