Reel deal: Salvy, Colon make highlight plays

KANSAS CITY -- No lead was safe through the early going of the Royals' 15-7 marathon win over the Tigers on Thursday night.

The Tigers spit back a 3-0 lead. The Royals spit back a 6-3 lead.

And the Royals appeared to be primed to spit back an 8-6 lead in the fifth when Victor Martinez walked and Nick Castellanos doubled. But reliever Chris Young then did the unthinkable on this night -- he danced out of the jam without giving up a run, and that was huge in helping secure a series win.

First, Young struck out Tyler Collins. Then, the right-hander got James McCann to pop out to short right.

Then, Andrew Romine hit a little flare toward the Tigers' dugout. Royals catcher Salvador Perez made a remarkable, Gold Glove Award play by sliding feet first and snaring the baseball just in front of the dugout railing.

"Chris Young's innings were really big," manager Ned Yost said. "... You had to go above the call of duty there to help us stay in that game."

Video: DET@KC: Colon jump-throws over 120 feet for the out

In the next inning, shortstop Christian Colon made an incredible grab and throw from in the hole -- doing a 180 in the air -- to nail J.D. Martinez at first for the third out with the Royals clinging to an 8-6 lead. Ian Kinsler had been on second and would have scored. The Tigers challenged the out call at first, but a review ruled it as stands.

"Both of them were big, big plays," Yost said. "Chris goes out, second and third nobody out, battles his tail off to get two outs and gets the little popup. Sal made a great play to get us back in the dugout. Colon, the same way. That was a fantastic play. A very athletic play where he's going to catch the ball, jump and throw with something on it to get it there in time."

Added Colon, "I tried to get everything on it I could because he's a fast runner. It was a curveball he pulled in the hole and I knew it would be close. I was pretty confident we had him, but it was a break for us."