Detroit 3, Kansas City 2

Tigers 3, Royals 2: Justin Verlander survived a ninth-inning rally at Kansas City, holding on for his first win of the season as Detroit sent the Royals to their fifth consecutive defeat.

After Humberto Quintero’s two-out RBI single made it a one-run game, Kansas City loaded the bases after Verlander (1-1) walked Mitch Maier and hit Alcides Escobar with the next pitch. The reigning American League MVP and Cy Young winner then fell behind Alex Gordon before ending the game with a pair of called strikes.

Verlander threw 131 pitches, the most by any starter in the major leagues this season. He allowed seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out nine.

Brandon Inge delivered what proved to be the decisive blow in a pitchers’ duel, driving a 1-0 pitch from Danny Duffy (1-1) over the center-field wall with one out in the top of the fifth inning. Jhonny Peralta, who went 3-for-4, had led off with a double.

Duffy, who was matching Verlander pitch for pitch before Inge’s home run, departed after 6 2/3 innings having allowed three runs on seven hits. He finished with one walk and seven strikeouts.

The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on Austin Jackson’s leadoff homer, but the Royals drew even in the bottom of the frame on Billy Butler’s RBI single.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Verlander improved to 14-2 in 20 career starts against Kansas City ... The Royals fell to 0-4 at home to start the season ... Butler, who had a pair of hits, improved his career average against Verlander to .372 (16-for-43).

• Kansas City will play their next game at home against Detroit. The Royals have a W/L % of .250 after a win and .333 after a loss.
• Detroit will play their next game on the road against Kansas City. The Tigers have a W/L % of .667 after a win and .750 after a loss.