Monday, July 24, 2017 07:10 PM (ET)

Perez, Moustakas push surging Royals by Tigers

The Sports Xchange
Jul 24, 2017

DETROIT -- Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas hit back-to-back homers to lead off the 12th inning, and the Kansas City Royals extended their winning streak to six games with a 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Monday at Comerica Park.

Perez's 20th homer and Moustakas' 29th homer came off Drew VerHagen (0-1), who was just recalled from Triple-A Toledo. Jorge Bonifacio homered for the third consecutive game and had three hits for Kansas City (51-47).

The Royals remained 1 1/2 games behind the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians, who defeated the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

Jakob Junis (3-2) picked up the victory with one inning of scoreless relief. Kelvin Herrera threw a perfect inning to notch his 20th save.

Royals starter Jason Hammel was charged with three runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Justin Verlander got a no-decision in what may have been his last start as a Tiger. Verlander, who has been the subject of trade rumors, allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings and struck out nine.

Tigers catcher Alex Avila snapped an 0-for-14 slump with a game-tying, two-run single in the sixth.

Verlander recorded six strikeouts the first time through the order, but the Royals broke through with two runs in the fourth. Bonifacio and Lorenzo Cain hit back-to-back singles and moved up on a grounder. A wild pitch allowed Bonifacio to score, and Moustakas' sacrifice fly made it 2-0.

Bonifacio smacked his 14th homer over the left field wall to lead off the sixth.

The Tigers (45-53) tied it in the sixth.

Miguel Cabrera knocked in the first run with an RBI single. With the bases loaded and two out, Avila smacked a single over the outstretched glove of shortstop Alcides Escobar to knot the score at 3-3.

NOTES: Kansas City acquired three pitchers in a six-player trade with San Diego. RHP Trevor Cahill will move into the rotation, while RHP Brandon Maurer and LHP Ryan Buchter will fortify the bullpen. LHPs Matt Strahm and Travis Wood and minor league 2B Esteury Ruiz were shipped to San Diego. Additionally, RHPs Al Alburquerque and Luke Farrell were designated for assignment, and LHP Brian Flynn was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. ... Detroit RF Jim Adduci was optioned to Triple-A Toledo to make room for RHP Drew VerHagen, who took the loss on Monday after his recall from the Mud Hens. VerHagen started 19 games with Toledo this season, posting a 7-7 record and 4.90 ERA. ... Tigers LHP Daniel Norris had his rehab start with Triple-A Toledo cut short after two-thirds of an inning Sunday. Norris continues to experience weakness with his right quad and left groin.
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