Jun 28, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas (8) receives congratulations from designated hitter Jorge Soler (12) after he hits a home run in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Photo Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
DETROIT — Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas hit back-to-back homers during a four-run fourth and Alex Gordon drove in three runs to power the Kansas City Royals past the Detroit Tigers 8-2 on Wednesday at Comerica Park.
Perez also doubled in a run during his three-RBI night. Alcides Escobar had three hits and scored twice for the Royals (38-38) while Moustakas, Gordon and Lorenzo Cain contributed two hits apiece. Jorge Soler, promoted from Triple-A Omaha earlier in the day, added an RBI single.
Ian Kennedy (2-6) won for just the second time in 14 starts, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts in seven innings.
Alex Avila and Miguel Cabrera had solo homers for the Tigers (34-43).
Detroit’s Daniel Norris (4-6) gave up five runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings, his shortest start of the season.
Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez went 1-for-4 after being activated from the 10-day disabled list. Martinez, who was sidelined with an irregular heartbeat, was dropped from his usual cleanup spot to No. 6 in the order.
Kansas City took the lead on Escobar’s leadoff double and Gordon’s RBI single in the third. The Royals then sent 10 batters to the plate and knocked out Norris the following inning.
Perez’s two-run shot sparked the big inning. He crushed a 3-0 offering from Norris that bounced off the brick wall beyond the left-center field stands.
Moustakas followed two pitches later with his 20th homer, a blast into the right-field stands. Gordon’s two-out RBI double made it 5-0.
Avila got the Tigers on the board in the bottom of the fourth with his 11th homer of the season.
NOTES: Royals RF/DH Jorge Soler batted .324 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI for Triple-A Omaha prior to his recall on Wednesday. Soler, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for closer Wade Davis during the offseason, was demoted after hitting just .164 in his first 18 games. … Kansas City INF Cheslor Cuthbert was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday, retroactive to June 26, with a left wrist sprain. Cuthbert was batting .196 with one homer and 10 RBI. … Tigers C/1B John Hicks was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room for DH Victor Martinez, who was activated from the DL. Hicks was batting .299 with three home runs and 12 RBI. … Detroit RHP Justin Verlander notched his 23rd career victory over Kansas City on Tuesday. That’s the most by any pitcher against any opponent over the last 12 seasons.
