KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Lorenzo Cain hit a tying, two-run homer off Jose Valverde with two outs in the ninth inning and Eric Hosmer had a winning single in the 10th, helping the Kansas City Royals overcome Justin Verlander’s seven scoreless innings Wednesday in a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
Verlander did not allow a batter past first base, giving up three singles, striking out eight and walking two in a 117-pitch outing, his second-highest total this season. Verlander has a 15-2 record with a 2.56 ERA in 25 starts against the Royals.
Drew Smyly pitched a one-hit eighth, then allowed a leadoff single in the ninth to Hosmer and was replaced by Valverde. He retired Santiago Perez on a flyout and struck out Billy Butler as Hosmer stole second becoming the first Kansas City runner in scoring position.
Cain fouled off three pitches, then sent an 85 mph offering over the wall in left-center.
