Michael Wacha delivered a masterclass on the mound for the Kansas City Royals, flirting with a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers before surrendering a single in the seventh inning. Wacha’s dominant outing held the Tigers hitless through 1/3 innings, with Colt Keith breaking up the bid with a single up the middle. The Royals ultimately edged out the Tigers 1-0 in a tense pitchers’ duel at Kauffman Stadium.
Both teams struggled to generate offense, combining for just six hits and two walks. Detroit’s ace Tarik Skubal matched Wacha pitch for pitch, allowing only two hits over seven scoreless innings and striking out seven The game’s only run came in the eighth inning, when Vinnie Pasquantino’s opposite-field single drove in Nick Loftin, who had doubled to set up the scoring chance.
Wacha finished with seven innings pitched, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out six. Despite not earning the win in the box score, his performance was hailed as one of the best of his career with the Royals The Tigers, who entered the game with the best record in MLB, were stymied by Wacha’s mix of pitches and command throughout the afternoon.
The series between the Tigers and Royals wraps up Sunday, with Detroit looking to bounce back after a rare offensive shutout.
