Royals Best Tigers 5-4 in Extra Innings

Before the Detroit Tigers can live up to their lofty preseason expectations, they will have to get by longtime AL Central cellar dweller Kansas City, as the Royals spoiled the home opener for a team that many consider a World Series contender with a 5-4 extra inning victory. Tony Pena’s single in the 11th inning scored John Buck, reports the Kansas City Star.

Detroit ace Justin Verlander only surrendered one hit through the first five innings, but Alex Gordon’s two-run blast in the sixth made the score 3-2. Verlander gave up two more runs in the seventh without recording an out before being lifted. Ultimately he was outdueled by the much less heralded Gil Meche, who allowed three runs over six innings. (More baseball stories.)