DETROIT — New shortstop Alex Gonzalez lined a sharp single past drawn in Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning Monday to drive in pinch-runner Tyler Collins from third base to give the Detroit Tigers a 4-3 Opening Day victory over the Royals.
Catcher Alex Avila walked with one out in the ninth and Collins, making his first appearance above the Double-A level, raced to third on a single to center by rookie third baseman Nick Castellanos.
Closer Greg Holland was brought in and Gonzalez lined an off-speed pitch through short to give new Detroit closer Joe Nathan a victory in his first appearance for the Tigers. Royals’ setup man Wade Davis took the loss in Kansas City’s sixth straight season-starting defeat.
Right-hander James Shields had checked Detroit on four hits until center fielder Austin Jackson tripled with one out in the seventh to start a two-run rally. Avila walked and right-handed reliever Aaron Crow fanned Castellanos on three off-speed pitches, although his wild third-strike curve in the dirt got by the catcher and let Jackson cross the plate. Gonzalez tripled to score Avila and make it 3-3.
Tigers starter Justin Verlander had not given up a run in 20 spring innings plus his first three on Opening Day but was nicked for three in the fourth.
Royals catcher Salvador Perez, who finished 4 for 4, doubled in a run with one out and scored on a two-out single by center fielder Lorenzo Cain. A walk plus an error loaded the bases then Verlander walked ex-teammate Omar Infante on a 3-1 pitch to force in the third run.
Detroit had taken a 1-0 lead on a solo home run by designated hitter Victor Martinez leading off the second inning.
NOTES: Detroit 3B Miguel Cabrera is closing in on 2,000 hits. His double leading off the fourth inning was the 1,996th of his career. He turns 31 in April and just signed an eight-year extension. … Kansas City 2B Omar Infante played his first game for his new team Monday against his old squad, Detroit. Infante, bothered by shoulder and elbow problems this spring, left the Tigers as a free agent to sign a four-year, $30.25 million deal with the Royals. … Tigers RHP Bruce Rondon underwent Tommy John surgery Saturday on his right elbow. He will be out for the season. … Royals C Salvador Perez’s fourth-inning RBI double drove in the first run Kansas City had scored in its last three season-opening games. The Royals had been shut out in their previous two.