DETROIT -- Dillon Dingler's eighth-inning RBI double capped a two-run comeback for the Tigers in what had been a ground-ball pitching duel, sending Detroit to its fourth straight win with a 2-1 win over Kansas City on Tuesday night at Comerica Park.
The Tigers were held to a pair of infield singles through seven innings, reaching the outfield on just four balls in play. The first six innings came from an effectively wild Cole Ragans, who overcame four walks with 10 ground-ball outs, including a pair of inning-ending double plays.
Carter Jensen’s second-inning run on a fielder’s choice grounder stood as the game’s lone run until Zach McKinstry’s leadoff double set the Tigers’ offense in motion in the eighth against reliever Nick Mears. Gleyber Torres’ groundout moved McKinstry to third, but Bobby Witt Jr.’s diving grab up the middle robbed Colt Keith of what likely would’ve been a game-tying single for the second out.
One out away from escape with Kevin McGonigle at the plate, Mears spiked a 2-1 changeup in the dirt that bounced away from catcher Salvador Perez, sending McKinstry home to tie it. McGonigle’s ensuing walk continued the inning for Dingler, whose 106.7 mph bouncer skipped past third baseman Maikel Garcia’s glove and into left field. McGonigle came all the way around to give the Tigers their first lead of the night.
The Royals put the potential tying run on third with one out in the ninth after Lane Thomas’ leadoff single and stolen base, but Kenley Jansen kept him there for his 479th career save, moving him past Hall of Famer Lee Smith for third on MLB’s all-time list.