Rookie Torkelson's 2-run bomb sends Tigers past Royals 2-1

Rookie Spencer Torkelson hit a long two-run homer and had two of Detroit's three hits, and the Tigers handed the Kansas City Royals their fifth straight loss, 2-1 on Friday night.

Miguel Cabrera doubled with one out in the seventh, leaving him five hits shy of 3,000. Torkelson followed one out later with a 432-foot bomb to left off Brad Keller, the second of his career. The rookie also had a two-out single in the fifth.

Tarik Skubal fanned six of the first eight Royals batters and retired the first 11 before Salvador Perez squeezed a grounder through the left side for the game’s first hit with two out in the fourth.

Detroit Tigers players outfielders Victor Reyes, right, Austin Meadows, left, and Akil Baddoo celebrate after their baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, April 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Tigers won 2-1. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)

Jacob Barnes (1-0) worked 1 1/3 hitless innings, Joe Jimenez handled the eighth and Michael Fulmer pitched a perfect ninth for his first save as the Tigers combined on a five-hitter.

Keller (0-1) didn't allow a baserunner until a fourth-inning walk to Austin Meadows. He worked seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

Skubal finished with seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings, and the only run he gave up was unearned. Andrew Benintendi reached with two out in the fourth on an error by shortstop Harold Castro, and Carlos Santana then singled to drive in Perez.

Detroit Tigers right fielder Victor Reyes catches a line drive for the out on Kansas City Royals' Carlos Santana during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Tigers won 2-1. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: SS Javier Báez remains out of the lineup with right thumb soreness. “He’s going to have a full work day, then we’ll see how he feels,” manager A.J. Hinch said. ... The Tigers placed RHP Casey Mize on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right elbow and recalled OF Daz Cameron from Triple-A Toledo.

UP NEXT

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera gets ready to bat during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, April 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. The Tigers won 2-1. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)

Detroit’s Matt Manning (0-0, 1.50 ERA) matches up with Kansas City’s Kris Bubic (0-1, 67.50) on Saturday.

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Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera, left, congratulates Spencer Torkelson, center, after he hit a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, April 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Friday, April 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)

The waxing moon rises beyond a sign in the outfield during the third inning of a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers Friday, April 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Friday, April 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)