Matt Vierling's 3-run homer highlights 5-run outburst in 7th inning as Tigers beat Royals 6-5

DETROIT (AP) — Matt Vierling hit a three-run homer to highlight Detroit's five-run seventh inning and the Tigers beat Kansas City 6-5 Saturday night, ending the Royals' four-game winning streak.

“When I hit it, I didn't think it was going out,” said Vierling, whose 111-mph line drive had a 14-degree launch angle. “That's a big comeback win, so I was fired up.”

Trailing 3-1, Detroit rallied against Chris Stratton (2-2) in the seventh. After Jake Rogers walked, Riley Greene and Mark Canha singled, driving in Rogers.

Wenceel Perez flew out to the wall in right, allowing Greene to take third, and Kerry Carpenter tied the game with a base hit. After Spencer Torkelson popped out, Vierling lined Stratton's 1-2 sinker over the left-field fence to put the Tigers up 6-3.

“I left pitches over the middle,” Stratton said. “They are big league hitters and they did exactly what they are supposed to do.”

The Royals bullpen came into the game with a 2.12 ERA in its last 21 innings.

“Stratton's going to pitch big innings for us,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Sometimes during those high-leverage situations, it doesn't go your way, but he's done this before and he'll bounce back.”

The Royals scored twice in the ninth off Tigers closer Jason Foley, but Vinnie Pasquatino flew out to deep center to end the game.

“I threw a four-seamer up and got him,” Foley said. “He's a really good hitter, so it felt great to get him out.”

The Tigers won despite four infield errors, two by Javier Báez.

“We can't keep winning games like that,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “The fight in this team is really good, but this is unsustainable. You give them extra outs, and then Foley is looking at (Bobby) Witt Jr. and Pasquatino in the ninth inning.”

Alex Faedo (2-1) got the win with two innings of relief of starter Casey Mize, who allowed three runs, two earned, in five innings.

Royals starter Brady Singer allowed one run in five innings.

The Royals only needed four batters to take a two-run lead. Maikel Garcia and Witt Jr. started the game with singles, with Garcia moving to third. After Witt stole second, Pasquatino made it 1-0 with a RBI groundout, and Salvador Perez followed with an RBI single. The base hit extended Perez's on-base streak to 17 games, matching his career high.

Kansas City made it 3-0 in the second with a pair of errors setting up Garcia's RBI single.

The Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the inning, and could have had more. Colt Keith walked and scored on Zach McKinstry's triple, but Singer got Báez and Rogers to ground out before striking out Greene to strand the runner.

UP NEXT

The teams finish the weekend series on Sunday with Tigers' ace LHP Tarik Skubal (3-0, 1.82 ERA) facing RHP Michael Wacha (1-2, 3.81).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers, left, congratulates relief pitcher Jason Foley at the end of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Tigers' Jake Rogers scores against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Tigers' Wenceel Pérez slides safely back to first base before the tag of Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Tigers' Jake Rogers singles against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Tigers' Matt Vierling, right, is congratulated by Kerry Carpenter (30) after hitting a three-run home run, next to Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Yokohama F.Marinos came from behind to take a first-leg lead in the Asian Champions League final, defeating Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 on Saturday.

Kota Watanabe scored the winner in the 84th minute after Asahi Uenaka had headed the hosts back on level terms in the second half. Yokohama controlled most of the game at Nissan Stadium after conceding an early goal from Mohammed Al-Baloushi.

The second leg will take place at Al-Ain on May 25.

Al-Ain, the 2003 champion and beaten finalist in 2005 and 2016, started took the lead after just 12 minutes.

Tournament top scorer Soufiane Rahimi outpaced Eduardo outside the area and while the Moroccan was denied a 12th goal by goalkeeper William Popp, Al-Baloushi was on hand to bury the rebound.

The home fans were silenced again on the half-hour mark when Matias Palacios put the ball in the net, but the Argentine midfielder was adjudged to have been offside after a video review.

Al-Ain coach Hernan Crespo had goalkeeper Khalid Eisa to thank at the break for keeping his team in the lead with several fine saves.

The second half pressure from Yokohama finally paid off after 72 minutes. Yan Matheus crossed from the right and Uenaka climbed high at the far post to send a bouncing header past the diving Eisa.

With six minutes remaining, former Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi’s shot from the left was guided in from close range at the near post by Watanabe. Although the strike was initially disallowed for offside, the goal was quickly given after a video review.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Al Ain soccer fans pick up trash at the end of the first leg of the AFC Champions League final soccer match between Al Ain and Yokohama F. Marinos in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Al Ain soccer fans pick up trash at the end of the first leg of the AFC Champions League final soccer match between Al Ain and Yokohama F. Marinos in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Yokohama F. Marinos players celebrate their victory at the end of the first leg of the AFC Champions League final soccer match between Al Ain and Yokohama F. Marinos in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Yokohama F. Marinos players celebrate their victory at the end of the first leg of the AFC Champions League final soccer match between Al Ain and Yokohama F. Marinos in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Yokohama F. Marinos' Kota Watanabe celebrate after scoring a goal during the first leg of the AFC Champions League final soccer match between Al Ain and Yokohama F. Marinos in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Yokohama F. Marinos' Kota Watanabe celebrate after scoring a goal during the first leg of the AFC Champions League final soccer match between Al Ain and Yokohama F. Marinos in Yokohama, Japan, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)