Pinch hitter MJ Melendez hit a two-out, three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, and the Kansas City Royals held off the host Detroit Tigers 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.
Melendez’s 13th homer of the season, off Shelby Miller (5-7), allowed the Royals to win three of four games in the series.
Royals starter Michael Wacha gave up two runs and seven hits in six innings. Chris Stratton (4-3) picked up the win, and Hunter Harvey recorded his first save since he was acquired from Washington last month.
Detroit’s Brant Hurter, making his major league debut, gave up two hits and struck out three in three innings of scoreless relief.
The Tigers used Alex Faedo as an opener. Maikel Garcia led off the game with a double. Faedo retired the next two batters, then walked Salvador Perez. He got out of the jam by striking out Hunter Renfroe.
Faedo got two more outs before he was removed.
The Tigers scored in the second inning after Wacha retired the first two batters. Zach McKinstry tripled to right, and Dillon Dingler drew a walk. Gio Urshela knocked in McKinstry with a single.
The Tigers extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Javier Baez drew a leadoff walk and moved to third on Colt Keith’s single. Matt Vierling hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Baez.
Justyn-Henry Malloy then singled, and Bligh Madris drew a walk to load the bases. Those runners were left stranded when McKinstry grounded out.
In the bottom of the sixth, Urshela drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a Baez single. Wenceel Perez then grounded into a double play to leave the score 2-0.
Bobby Witt Jr., who had his 15-game hitting streak snapped on Saturday, had a one-out single for Kansas City in the top of the eighth. Will Vest set down the next two batters to keep Detroit’s shutout going.
Renfroe led off the ninth with a single. Pinch hitter Michael Massey popped out before Freddy Fermin singled to right. Kyle Isbel ran for Fermin. Pinch hitter Adam Frazier lined out before Melendez lifted his homer over the right field wall.
–Field Level Media
