Another big fifth inning sparked the Royals, who held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 9-6 Tuesday night at Comerica Park. Once again, Bruce Chen struggled early, but settled down and got the offesive support he needed for his 11th win of the season.
Trailing 1-0, Chen gave up solo home runs to Miguel Cabrera and Ryan Raburn and found himself in a 3-0 hole after the fourth inning. In the fifth, the Royals responded getting to Tigers’ starter Armando Gallaraga.
Jarrod Dyson led off with a single, one of three hits for him. He stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a RBI single from Mike Aviles. Aviles drove in three runs and had three hits. Aviles later scored when Kila Ka’ahiue walked with the bases loaded. Then Billy Butler and Wilson Betimit scored on a infield single by Yuniesky Bentancourt.
The Royals added two runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth and they were needed as the Tigers rallied for three runs in their last at-bats. Greg Holland gave up four singles in a third of an inning and Ned Yost needed to call on Joakim Soria to close out the game
Soria gave up a bunt single and after a line out, Johnny Damon reached on an error by Wilson Betimit, before Soria got Raburn to record the final out. It was Soria’s 40th save of the season.