DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers are ready to admit it.
They are playing with a chip on their shoulder after being left for dead at the trading deadline.
"Absolutely," Alex Wilson said Thursday after the Tigers' 8-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals. "You've got a bunch of guys in this clubhouse who were told that they didn't belong in a pennant race, and we're out to prove something. Not our big guys, obviously, but a lot of us."
After four straight AL Central Division titles, the Tigers traded away David Price, Yoenis Cespedes and Joakim Soria in the hours before the trading deadline, then fired long-time general manager Dave Dombrowski.
After winning two of three from the Royals, Detroit is 3 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot, although the Tigers have four teams between themselves and Toronto.
"We're not that far out, and we know we've got a lot of games to play," Ian Kinsler said. "No one in this room thinks this season is over."
Kinsler finished the game in dramatic fashion, hitting a two-run homer off Ryan Madson in the ninth inning, but he was part of two earlier plays that might have been equally important.
In both the third and fifth innings, Kinsler hit ground balls to the left side of the infield that looked like inning-ending double plays. That would be nothing new for the Tigers, who came into the game having grounded into 110 double plays, 14 more than any other major-league team.
Aided by takeout slides from Jose Iglesias and Anthony Gose, Kinsler was able to beat both out. Each time, Victor Martinez followed with a homer -- a three-run shot in the third and a two-run homer in the fifth.
"Those were both huge plays," Kinsler said. "That's how you play the game. Tyler Collins set the tone with a big slide earlier in the game, and even though they got the double play that time, you get the second baseman hesitating. Those two guys went in hard, and I was busting it down the line, because I didn't want to end the inning and leave Victor standing on deck."
Iglesias led off the ninth with a single against Ryan Madson (1-2) before Kinsler hit a 2-0 fastball into the bullpen in left field.
"I don't know where that pitch ended up," Madson said. "It was supposed to be a sinker, but it wasn't where I wanted it."
Wilson (2-3) got the win after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth.
Martinez hadn't homered since July 17 and hadn't had a multi-homer game since hitting two for Boston against Toronto on Sept. 17, 2010.
"That felt great," he said. "Not just for me, but for this whole team."
The Royals took an early 3-0 lead, fell behind 6-3 and tied it with a three-run seventh. Drew Butera led off with a homer, and Kendrys Morales had a two-run double.
"That was a nice rally," Madson said. "I wish I could have held the Tigers down and given us another crack at it."
The game was delayed for several minutes in the eighth inning when a squirrel ran around on the field. It briefly ended up in the Tigers' dugout, then raced into left field.
"Usually, I have a BB gun to deal with squirrels, but I was trying to catch this one with a trash can," Alex Avila said of the squirrel's time in the dugout. "The problem was that I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to be able to lure it in there with my charm and good looks."
When the squirrel arrived, the Tigers had runners on the corners and two out, but Anthony Gose struck out after it made its way to the outfield.
"I didn't want any part of that squirrel," said Rajai Davis, who got a close encounter with it as it hung out near third base. "I just tried to stay still and not draw any attention to myself."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: With a day game after a night game, Alex Gordon had a quiet day in his recovery from a groin strain. Gordon took batting practice off soft tosses Wednesday and hopes to return by the end of the month.
Tigers: Although 1B Miguel Cabrera (calf strain) was told by the team to take his time recovering from injury, now that the Tigers are out of the postseason race, manager Brad Ausmus said he thinks Cabrera could be back in the lineup by the end of the month -- about two weeks later than earlier hoped.
UP NEXT
Royals: Kansas City returns home for a weekend series with the White Sox. Edinson Volquez (10-6, 3.20) faces Chicago's John Danks (6-8, 4.80) in Friday's opener.
Tigers: Detroit remains at home for three games this weekend with Boston. Daniel Norris (2-1, 3.23), acquired in last week's David Price trade, starts on Friday against Joe Kelly (3-6, 6.11).
They are playing with a chip on their shoulder after being left for dead at the trading deadline.
"Absolutely," Alex Wilson said Thursday after the Tigers' 8-6 victory over the Kansas City Royals. "You've got a bunch of guys in this clubhouse who were told that they didn't belong in a pennant race, and we're out to prove something. Not our big guys, obviously, but a lot of us."
After four straight AL Central Division titles, the Tigers traded away David Price, Yoenis Cespedes and Joakim Soria in the hours before the trading deadline, then fired long-time general manager Dave Dombrowski.
After winning two of three from the Royals, Detroit is 3 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot, although the Tigers have four teams between themselves and Toronto.
"We're not that far out, and we know we've got a lot of games to play," Ian Kinsler said. "No one in this room thinks this season is over."
Kinsler finished the game in dramatic fashion, hitting a two-run homer off Ryan Madson in the ninth inning, but he was part of two earlier plays that might have been equally important.
In both the third and fifth innings, Kinsler hit ground balls to the left side of the infield that looked like inning-ending double plays. That would be nothing new for the Tigers, who came into the game having grounded into 110 double plays, 14 more than any other major-league team.
Aided by takeout slides from Jose Iglesias and Anthony Gose, Kinsler was able to beat both out. Each time, Victor Martinez followed with a homer -- a three-run shot in the third and a two-run homer in the fifth.
"Those were both huge plays," Kinsler said. "That's how you play the game. Tyler Collins set the tone with a big slide earlier in the game, and even though they got the double play that time, you get the second baseman hesitating. Those two guys went in hard, and I was busting it down the line, because I didn't want to end the inning and leave Victor standing on deck."
Iglesias led off the ninth with a single against Ryan Madson (1-2) before Kinsler hit a 2-0 fastball into the bullpen in left field.
"I don't know where that pitch ended up," Madson said. "It was supposed to be a sinker, but it wasn't where I wanted it."
Wilson (2-3) got the win after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth.
Martinez hadn't homered since July 17 and hadn't had a multi-homer game since hitting two for Boston against Toronto on Sept. 17, 2010.
"That felt great," he said. "Not just for me, but for this whole team."
The Royals took an early 3-0 lead, fell behind 6-3 and tied it with a three-run seventh. Drew Butera led off with a homer, and Kendrys Morales had a two-run double.
"That was a nice rally," Madson said. "I wish I could have held the Tigers down and given us another crack at it."
The game was delayed for several minutes in the eighth inning when a squirrel ran around on the field. It briefly ended up in the Tigers' dugout, then raced into left field.
"Usually, I have a BB gun to deal with squirrels, but I was trying to catch this one with a trash can," Alex Avila said of the squirrel's time in the dugout. "The problem was that I was pretty sure that I wasn't going to be able to lure it in there with my charm and good looks."
When the squirrel arrived, the Tigers had runners on the corners and two out, but Anthony Gose struck out after it made its way to the outfield.
"I didn't want any part of that squirrel," said Rajai Davis, who got a close encounter with it as it hung out near third base. "I just tried to stay still and not draw any attention to myself."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: With a day game after a night game, Alex Gordon had a quiet day in his recovery from a groin strain. Gordon took batting practice off soft tosses Wednesday and hopes to return by the end of the month.
Tigers: Although 1B Miguel Cabrera (calf strain) was told by the team to take his time recovering from injury, now that the Tigers are out of the postseason race, manager Brad Ausmus said he thinks Cabrera could be back in the lineup by the end of the month -- about two weeks later than earlier hoped.
UP NEXT
Royals: Kansas City returns home for a weekend series with the White Sox. Edinson Volquez (10-6, 3.20) faces Chicago's John Danks (6-8, 4.80) in Friday's opener.
Tigers: Detroit remains at home for three games this weekend with Boston. Daniel Norris (2-1, 3.23), acquired in last week's David Price trade, starts on Friday against Joe Kelly (3-6, 6.11).
1:08PM,EDT,August 6,2015
Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Kansas City - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| Escobar grounded out to catcher. | 0 | 0 |
| Zobrist struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Cain grounded out to third. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Yordano Ventura pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| Gose singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| Gose caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| Iglesias grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| Kinsler singled to right center. | 0 | 0 |
| V. Martínez flied out to center. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Kansas City - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| Hosmer singled to left. | 0 | 0 |
| K. Morales singled to right, Hosmer to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Moustakas walked, Hosmer to third, K. Morales to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Rios walked, Hosmer scored, K. Morales to third, Moustakas to second. | 1 | 0 |
| Infante singled to center, K. Morales and Moustakas scored, Rios to third, Infante to second advancing on throw. | 3 | 0 |
| Butera fouled out to first. | 3 | 0 |
| Escobar lined out to left. | 3 | 0 |
| Zobrist grounded out to first. | 3 | 0 |
| 3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Yordano Ventura pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| J.D. Martinez grounded out to third. | 3 | 0 |
| Collins singled to center. | 3 | 0 |
| Castellanos grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, Collins out at second. | 3 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Kansas City - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| Cain struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| Hosmer grounded out to first. | 3 | 0 |
| K. Morales struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Yordano Ventura pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| Avila walked. | 3 | 0 |
| Romine walked, Avila to second. | 3 | 0 |
| Gose struck out swinging. | 3 | 0 |
| Iglesias singled to left, Avila to third, Romine to second. | 3 | 0 |
| Kinsler grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, Avila scored, Iglesias out at second, Romine to third. | 3 | 1 |
| V. Martínez homered to right (371 feet), Romine and Kinsler scored. | 3 | 4 |
| J.D. Martinez singled to center. | 3 | 4 |
| Collins flied out to right. | 3 | 4 |
| 4 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Kansas City - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| Moustakas popped out to second. | 3 | 4 |
| Rios flied out to center. | 3 | 4 |
| Infante struck out swinging. | 3 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Yordano Ventura pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| Castellanos struck out swinging. | 3 | 4 |
| Avila grounded out to first. | 3 | 4 |
| Romine grounded out to pitcher. | 3 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Kansas City - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| Butera struck out looking. | 3 | 4 |
| Escobar struck out looking. | 3 | 4 |
| Zobrist flied out to center. | 3 | 4 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Yordano Ventura pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| Gose reached on bunt single to catcher. | 3 | 4 |
| Iglesias struck out swinging. | 3 | 4 |
| Kinsler grounded into fielder's choice to third, Gose out at second. | 3 | 4 |
| V. Martínez homered to right (423 feet), Kinsler scored. | 3 | 6 |
| J.D. Martinez walked. | 3 | 6 |
| Collins grounded out to pitcher. | 3 | 6 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Kansas City - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| Cain lined out to right. | 3 | 6 |
| Hosmer walked. | 3 | 6 |
| K. Morales singled to center, Hosmer to second. | 3 | 6 |
| Moustakas fouled out to second. | 3 | 6 |
| Rios walked, Hosmer to third, K. Morales to second. | 3 | 6 |
| Infante popped out to third. | 3 | 6 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Franklin Morales pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| F. Morales relieved Ventura. | 3 | 6 |
| Castellanos flied out to right. | 3 | 6 |
| Avila doubled to right center. | 3 | 6 |
| Romine flied out to right. | 3 | 6 |
| Gose walked. | 3 | 6 |
| Medlen relieved F. Morales. | 3 | 6 |
| Iglesias lined out to right. | 3 | 6 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Kansas City - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Anibal Sanchez pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| Butera homered to left (380 feet). | 4 | 6 |
| Feliz relieved Sánchez. | 4 | 6 |
| Escobar singled to left center. | 4 | 6 |
| Zobrist walked, Escobar to second. | 4 | 6 |
| Cain lined into double play, pitcher to first, Zobrist out at first. | 4 | 6 |
| Hardy relieved Feliz. | 4 | 6 |
| Escobar stole third. | 4 | 6 |
| Hosmer walked. | 4 | 6 |
| K. Morales doubled to left, Escobar and Hosmer scored. | 6 | 6 |
| Moustakas grounded out to second. | 6 | 6 |
| 3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Kelvin Herrera pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| Herrera relieved Medlen. | 6 | 6 |
| Kinsler lined out to left. | 6 | 6 |
| V. Martínez struck out swinging. | 6 | 6 |
| J.D. Martinez struck out swinging, J.D. Martinez safe at first on passed ball by Butera. | 6 | 6 |
| Collins struck out swinging. | 6 | 6 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Kansas City - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Bruce Rondon pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| Rondón relieved Hardy. | 6 | 6 |
| Rios struck out swinging. | 6 | 6 |
| Infante struck out swinging. | 6 | 6 |
| Butera fouled out to third. | 6 | 6 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Wade Davis pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| Davis relieved Herrera. | 6 | 6 |
| Castellanos grounded out to pitcher. | 6 | 6 |
| Avila singled to center. | 6 | 6 |
| Davis ran for Avila. | 6 | 6 |
| Davis stole second, Davis safe at third on throwing error by catcher Butera. | 6 | 6 |
| Romine struck out swinging. | 6 | 6 |
| Gose struck out swinging. | 6 | 6 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 1 Errors | ||
| Kansas City - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Alex Wilson pitching for Detroit | KC | DET |
| McCann catching. | 6 | 6 |
| Wilson relieved Rondón. | 6 | 6 |
| Escobar grounded out to third. | 6 | 6 |
| Zobrist flied out to center. | 6 | 6 |
| Cain singled to center. | 6 | 6 |
| Hosmer walked, Cain to second. | 6 | 6 |
| K. Morales walked, Cain to third, Hosmer to second. | 6 | 6 |
| Moustakas popped out to third. | 6 | 6 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Detroit - Bottom of 9th | SCORE | |
| Ryan Madson pitching for Kansas City | KC | DET |
| Madson relieved Davis. | 6 | 6 |
| Iglesias singled to left. | 6 | 6 |
| Kinsler homered to left center (368 feet), Iglesias scored. | 6 | 8 |
| 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Kansas City Royals | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Escobar SS | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | .275 | .313 | .342 |
| Zobrist LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 22 | .267 | .349 | .466 |
| Cain CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 | .304 | .360 | .486 |
| Hosmer 1B | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 | .320 | .379 | .477 |
| K. Morales DH | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 21 | .290 | .347 | .460 |
| Moustakas 3B | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | .279 | .340 | .415 |
| Rios RF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 19 | .243 | .282 | .313 |
| Infante 2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | .230 | .242 | .316 |
| Butera C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | .186 | .197 | .243 |
| Totals | 34 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 163 | |||
| BATTING 2B: K. Morales (29, Hardy) HR: Butera (1, 7th inning off Sánchez 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: Rios (18), Infante 2 (31), Butera (3), K. Morales 2 (76) 2-out RBI: K. Morales 2 Royals RISP: 2-10 (Moustakas 0-3, Zobrist 0-1, Infante 1-2, Butera 0-1, K. Morales 1-1, Escobar 0-1, Cain 0-1) Team LOB: 9 | ||||||||||
| BASERUNNING SB: Escobar (9, 3rd base off Hardy/Avila) | ||||||||||
| FIELDING E: Butera (3, throw) DP: 1 (Escobar-Infante-Hosmer). PB: Butera. | ||||||||||
Game Information
| Stadium | Comerica Park, Detroit, MI |
| Attendance | 38,919 (93.6% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 3:26 |
| Weather | 72 degrees, cloudy |
| Wind | 8 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - Mike Winters, First Base - Mike Muchlinski, Second Base - Mark Wegner, Third Base - Marty Foster |
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