The Kansas City Royals jumped out to a four run lead over the Detroit Tigers and survived a bit of a scare in the bottom of the 9 th inning to down the defending American League champs 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park in Detroit. The win gives the Royals two of the three games played in the weekend series.

Detroit got on the board first on Craig Monroe’s 11 th home run of the year, a solo shot in the 3 rd inning. The Royals then scored 2 in the 4 th , 1 in the 6 th , and and 2 more in the 7 th – 1 of them coming on Esteban German’s 3 rd roundtripper of the season. German, Mark Teahen, and David DeJesus each had 2 hits on the day. Mark Grudzielanek topped them all, picking up 4 hits in 5 strips to the plate.

Kansas City starter Brian Bannister (6-6) pitched 7 innings, giving up only 1 earned run on 4 hits while striking out 3 batters to earn the victory. Detroit starter Nate Robertson (6-7) surrendered 5 runs, 4 of them earned, on 11 hits in 6 innings to take the loss.

The Royals (43-54) now head home to open a four game series with the New York Yankees Monday night at Kauffman Stadium. Odalis Perez (5-8) goes to the mound against the Bronx Bombers’ Roger Clemens (2-4).