DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers pitchers issued eight walks -- including two with the bases loaded -- in a 7-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park.
The Royals (29-48) took two of three from the Tigers (30-47) in the weekend series.
Tigers starter Tarik Skubal didn’t make it out of the fifth inning. He was charged with five runs on five hits, including a two-run homer by Emmanuel Rivera in the second inning that fell just inches beyond the outstretched glove of center fielder Riley Greene.
Skubal has allowed 23 earned runs in 23 innings (9.00 ERA) over his last five starts.
“I’m the same guy. It’s just the results that are different,” Skubal said. “I’m close to figuring some things out. Some things take time, and that’s what I’m going through.”
After Skubal departed, each of the next four Tigers relievers issued at least one walk. Both Wily Peralta and Jason Foley pushed in runs by walking a batter with the bases loaded.
The ugly pitching display overshadowed some positive developments, including rookie Spencer Torkelson’s first home run since May 18, a span of 129 plate appearances.
Second baseman Kody Clemens also flashed some excellent glovework in the field and hit the second home run of his career, a solo shot to right field in the seventh inning.
Up next
The Tigers open a four-game, three-day series against the Cleveland Guardians with a doubleheader on Monday at Comerica Park.
Tigers right-hander Garrett Hill will make his Major League debut in the opener at 1:10 p.m. against Guardians righty Zach Plesac (2-5, 3.86 ERA).
Game 2 starts at 6:40 p.m. with right-hander Alex Faedo (1-4, 4.84) on the mound for the Tigers. Cleveland has not yet announced its Game 2 starter.
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