Billy Butler went 4 for 5 with 4 runs batted in and Mark Grudzielanek had 4 hits, 4 runs scored, and one RBI to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 10-2 win over the Detroit Tigers in the opening game of their weekend series Friday night at Comerica Park in Detroit.
The Royals snapped a 1-1 tie with 3 runs in the 3 rd , scored 2 in the 7 th , and 4 in the 9 th to put the game out of reach. In all, Kansas City pounded out 15 hits on the night. Gary Sheffield belted his 23rd home run of the season for the Tigers.
Royals’ starter Gil Meche (7-6) pitched 7 strong innings for the win, giving up 2 earned runs on 5 hits while striking out 5. Kenny Rogers (3-2) gave up 6 runs, 5 of them earned, on 9 hits in 6 1/3 innings to take the loss.
The Royals (42-53) and Tigers (57-37) continue their series Saturday night in Motown. Jorge De La Rosa (7-10) goes to the mound for Kansas City against Detroit’s Justin Verlander (11-3).