For the third time in their history, the Royals have lost a franchise-record 97 games. They also lost 97 in 1999 and 2001. Number 97 of 2002 came last night as they fell to the Tigers 7-6 in 12 innings. After Paul Byrd spotted the Tigers four runs in the first, the Royals bounced back with five in the bottom half of the inning. The Tigers eventually took a 6-5 lead in the eighth inning, but Joe Randa’s RBI single in the ninth tied it. Pinch hitter Chris Truby drove in a run with a sacrifice in the top of the 12th to give Detroit the lead and eventual win. Mike Sweeney was 0-4, dropping his batting average to .344. He now trails Manny Ramirez who’s hitting .346.
