KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Carlos Santana belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Kansas City Royals a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.
Kansas City was held to three hits until the ninth, when Whit Merrifield led off with an infield single before Santana connected against Michael Fulmer (3-3).
“I was just trying to get Whit to second or third,” Santana said. "But I knew I made good contact.”
Kyle Zimmer (3-0) struck out three in two hitless innings for the win.
Royals manager Mike Matheny was ejected for the second time this season for arguing in the sixth.
Detroit scored twice in the first against Kris Bubic, sparked by Robbie Grossman's leadoff double. Jeimer Candelario and Ethan Haase each hit an RBI single, and the Tigers had the bases loaded with one out. Bubic prevented further damage and pitched scoreless ball after that.
“That first inning is probably the one inning you look back on in this game,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said. "We put up good at-bats early, had him wobbling and they had guys warming up in the bullpen. Then he got a couple of quick outs to end the first to get out of it.”
Bubic allowed six hits in five innings with three strikeouts and three walks. Royals relievers Tyler Zuber, Scott Barlow and Zimmer held the Tigers scoreless.
“Bubic didn’t have his best stuff and found a way to stay in it,” Matheny said. "I love how these guys fight and continue to believe in themselves. We need stuff like that to continue to happen.”
Detroit starter Casey Mize pitched three-hit ball for 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking one.
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1of20Kansas City Royals' Carlos Santana (41) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 3-2.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less2of20Kansas City Royals' Carlos Santana celebrates after hitting a walk-off home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 3-2.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less3of204of20Kansas City Royals' Carlos Santana celebrates after hitting a walk-off home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 3-2.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less5of20Kansas City Royals' Andrew Benintendi celebrates with Jorge Soler (12) after scoring on a sacrifice fly hit by Hanser Alberto during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less6of207of20Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny talks with first base umpire Adrian Johnson before getting ejected during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less8of20Kansas City Royals' Kelvin Gutierrez appeals to third base umpire Lance Barrett after being tagged out trying to advance to third on a sacrifice double play hit into by Hanser Alberto during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. Andrew Benintendi scored on the play.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less9of2010of20Detroit Tigers pitcher Gregory Soto throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less11of20Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, left, walks back to the dugout after making a pitching change during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less12of2013of20Kansas City Royals' Andrew Benintendi, right, is tagged out by Detroit Tigers third baseman Jeimer Candelario as he tried to steal third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less14of20Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less15of2016of20Detroit Tigers' Jeimer Candelario runs home to score on an RBI single by Eric Haase during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less17of20Detroit Tigers' Jeimer Candelario hits an RBI single during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less18of2019of20Detroit Tigers' Robbie Grossman runs home to score on an RBI single by Jeimer Candelario during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 23, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.Charlie Riedel/APShow MoreShow Less20of20
Mize exited with a 2-0 lead and runners at the corners. Pinch-hitter Hanser Alberto drove in Andrew Benintendi with a sacrifice fly off Gregory Soto to put the Royals on the board.
Detroit stranded nine runners.
DRESSED TO THE NINES
The Royals and Tigers donned special jerseys honoring the Detroit Stars and Kansas City Monarchs as part of the annual Salute to the Negro Leagues game in Kansas City.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: 3B Hunter Dozier went 1 for 5 with an RBI double in his first game of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha. Dozier went on the seven-day injured list May 14 with a concussion following a collision with José Abreu in Chicago.
UP NEXT
Detroit hosts Cleveland for a four-game series. Spencer Turnbull (3-2, 2.88 ERA), fresh off his no-hitter in Seattle, will take the mound for the Tigers on Monday.
Kansas City opens a six-game road trip against Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Brad Keller (3-4, 6.52) makes his 10th start of the season.
