DETROIT (AP) Alex Gonzalez drove in the winning run in his Detroit debut, lining a single to left off Greg Holland in the ninth inning that gave the Tigers a 4-3 opening-day victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.
Acquired by Detroit following an injury to shortstop Jose Iglesias, Gonzalez made a costly error in Kansas City’s three-run fourth but made up for that with a tying triple in the seventh. He then singled with men on first and third in the ninth.
Joe Nathan (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth in his first appearance for the Tigers.
Wade Davis (0-1) allowed a one-out walk to Alex Avila and a single to Nick Castellanos in the ninth. Holland couldn’t escape the jam.
The Royals and Tigers will have Tuesday off and will play game two of the three game series on Wednesday afternoon with Jason Vargas making his KC debut on the hill for the Royals against last years AL Cy young winner Max Scherzer.