Danny Duffy took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Greg Holland picked up his 33rd save, as the Royals beat Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers 2-1 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. Duffy, Kelvin Herrera, Aaron Crow and Holland combined for a two-hitter. Â Duffy (1-0), making his second big-league start this season after being called up from Triple-A Omaha held Detroit hitless for 5.2 innings, while walking three and hitting a batter.
Eric Hosmer homered for the Royals, who made it 2-0 on consecutive doubles leading off the seventh by Justin Maxwell and newcomer Emilio Bonifacio. Ramon Santiago hit a pinch hit home run for the Tigers. Â Verlander (12-9) allowed two runs on seven hits in eight innings. He struck out five, but gave up the homer to Hosmer, his 13th home run of the season, leading off the fourth, which gave the Royals a 1-0 lead.
