Townhall 2025 Tickets On Sale Now! New VIP Luncheon Added for 2025!

Bobby Witt Jr.'s 2-run homer in eighth lifts Royals over Tigers 3-1

Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia celebrates his solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia celebrates his solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. steals second base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. steals second base during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Stephen Kolek throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Stephen Kolek throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/David Smith)
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning to lift the Kansas City Royals over the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Saturday night.

After pinch-hitter Tyler Tolbert drew a seven-pitch walk from Tyler Holton (5-4), Witt connected for his 20th home run, a 427-foot shot to dead center. Witt, who singled earlier, extended his hitting streak to 18 games.

Lucas Erceg (6-3) struck out one in a 1-2-3 eighth inning before Carlos Estévez worked around Riley Greene’s one-out double for his 36th save.

The Tigers jumped ahead 1-0 in the third on Gleyber Torres’ sharp, two-out single. Detroit is 55-17 when scoring first.

Maikel Garcia tied it in the fourth with his 15th homer.

Making his Royals debut, Stephen Kolek threw six innings and allowed a run and four hits, and struck out three.

With Seattle's 4-3 loss to Cleveland, Kansas City moved within two games of the Mariners for the final AL wild-card spot.

Tigers starter Jack Flaherty allowed a run and four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Dillon Dingler had three of the seven hits by the Tigers, who were 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.

Key moment

With runners at second and third in the seventh, Royals right fielder Mike Yastrzemski fielded Trey Sweeney’s shallow fly and his throw home skipped past catcher Salvador Perez. Wenceel Pérez went halfway toward home, but stopped when pitcher John Schreiber backed up the plate. Ángel Zerpa got pinch-hitter Zach McKinstry to ground out, ending the inning and preserving the tie.

Key stat

The last 10 games between Detroit and Kansas City have been decided by fewer than three runs, with the Tigers winning six.

Up next

Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (11-4, 2.28 ERA) opposes Royals RHP Michael Wacha (8-10, 3.39) on Sunday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links

On Air & Up Next

  • Weekends
    11:00PM - 12:00AM
     
    Weekends with Larry Marino features news and information and special guests   >>
     
  • The Best of The Pastor Scott Show
    12:00AM - 2:00AM
     
    The Best Of The Pastor Scott Show - a Compilation of Interviews, Commentary and   >>
     
  • The Larry Elder Show
    2:00AM - 3:00AM
    The Larry Elder Show
    (844) 900-7243
     
    Larry Elder personifies the phrase “We’ve Got a Country to Save” The “Sage from   >>
     
  • The Inland Empire Answer
     
    Join Host Jennifer Horn for News and commentary that hits the bullseye for   >>
     
  • Weekends
    4:00AM - 5:00AM
     
    Weekends with Larry Marino features news and information and special guests   >>
     

See the Full Program Guide