Kenley Jansen gets 479th save, moves past Lee Smith, as Tigers top Royals 2-1 for 4th win in row

DETROIT (AP) — Kenley Jansen got his 479th save, moving past Lee Smith for sole possession of third place on the career list, and the Detroit Tigers rallied from an eighth-inning deficit to beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Tuesday night for their fourth straight win.

Jansen allowed a leadoff single in the ninth to Lane Thomas, who stole second, then advanced to third on Salvador Perez's groundout. Vinnie Pasquantino grounded out, with Thomas holding at third, and Jansen retired Starling Marte on a flyout for his third save this season.

Only Mariano Rivera (652) and Trevor Hoffman (601) have more saves.

Carter Jensen hit into a run-scoring forceout in the second off Framber Valdez, who allowed three hits in seven innings.

Zach McKinstry doubled leading off the eighth against Nick Mears (1-1), took third on a groundout and stayed at third when, with the infield in, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. robbed pinch-hitter Colt Keith with a diving catch.

Mears bounced a changeup past Perez, allowing McKinstry to score, rookie Kevin McGonigle walked and Dillon Dingler hit a 106.7 mph grounder past third baseman Maikel Garcia. The ball bounced to the left-field wall for an RBI double

Will Vest (1-2) struck out the side in the eighth.

Kansas City's Cole Ragans, the first left-handed starter Detroit faced this season. allowed one hit and four walks in six innings.

Royals left fielder Isaac Collins left during the bottom of the first after bruising his right knee while flipping over a wall in pursuit of a foul ball.

Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (0-1, 5.14) and Royals RHP Seth Lugo (1-1, 1.53) are scheduled to start Wednesday night, when heavy rain is forecast.

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

Detroit Tigers pitcher Will Vest throws against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers center fielder Javier Báez (28) catches a Kansas City Royals' Starling Marte fly ball during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers' Kevin McGonigle slides safely into home plate against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenley Jansen throws against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo left Tuesday night’s play-in game against Charlotte after he got tripped by Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball in the second quarter, causing him to land hard on his lower back.

The Heat said Adebayo would not return.

Ball was on the ground after driving to the basket and missing a shot when he appeared to take a swipe at Adebayo’s left foot with his left hand, causing Adebayo to fall backward. Adebayo stayed down as the action moved to the other end of the court and then back again before play was stopped.

After being attended to by trainers, he got to his feet and walked off under his own power and was taken to the locker room.

Ball was not called for a foul and the play could not be reviewed because play wasn't stopped.

Adebayo scored 83 points in a game last month.

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

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) lies on the court during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) lies on the court during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) lies on the court during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo jumps to dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)