DETROIT -- For the second time this season, a Royals rookie got his first Major League home run off Tigers ace and longtime Royals nemesis Justin Verlander.
Go figure.
Earlier this season, it was Brett Eibner, who has since been traded, who went deep off Verlander at Kauffman Stadium. This time it was Adalberto Mondesi, who slammed his first Major League homer off Verlander in the Royals' 6-1 win on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
"You know, it was something special for me getting my first homer against that kind of pitcher," Mondesi said. "It was a little cutter, that didn't cut too much. I dropped my hands in front of it."
The ball was drilled, but it was hooking toward the right-field foul pole.
"I knew it would stay fair," Mondesi insisted. "That's why I started running."
And grinning. When Mondesi saw it go out, he couldn't resist a huge smile.
"You know, I'm never really looking toward that," Mondesi said. "I just go up there and do my best. I'm never looking for a home run. So that was nice. That's why I smile."
The homer also put manager Ned Yost in a good mood.
"We knew it was coming sooner or later," Yost said. "We know he's got power. He's a skinny kid who will continue to fill out and grow. We got to see that power tonight."
Mondesi also came up with a huge plate appearance in the two-run eighth. With runners on second and third, Mondesi drew a walk off Verlander on a 3-2 pitch. That loaded the bases and finished the night for Verlander. The Royals then added two runs, making it 5-1.
"It was a huge walk at that point," Yost said. "Second and third, no outs. It brought the top of the order back up and a chance to tack on runs, and it was a big two runs."
Added Mondesi, "He was throwing only fastballs. I was looking for that. I missed my first pitch. Put a good swing on it, but just missed it. But I got the walk and helped the team score the runs. That's good."