The Detroit Tigers defeated the Kansas Royals at Kaufman Field by a score of 5-3. Tiger’s starter Chris Paddack would get off to a rough start giving up a homer to Mike Yastrzemski on the very first pitch. The Tiger’s would conclude the first inning already trailing 3-0. Paddock would go on to settle in some, but would only last 3 2/3 before being relieved by Tyler Hilton.

Detroit returned fire with 2 runs of their own on a RBI single from Riley Greene. Greene would eclipse the 100 RBI total, giving him 101 and counting for the year.

The Kansas City starter Seth Lugo only managed to last 3 1/3 himself. Similar to Paddock, he was laboring from the very beginning. It took him 32 pitches to get out of the first, where he was able to escape a jam, after striking out Wenceel Perez with the bases loaded.

Kerry Carpenter would chip in with a 2-run RBI single of his own in the 4th inning, plating Colt Keith and Gleyber Torres. With the game still in reach, Dillon Dingler delivered the final blow, taking an inside fastball from Taylor Clark deep to left centerfield, extending the lead to 5 to 3 in the 8th inning.

Tiger Closer, Kyle Finnegan would be credited with the win. He went 1 1/3, continuing his streak of scoreless outings, which he has held since becoming a Tiger. Will Vest came in to shut the door in the 9th, earning his 20th save of the season. The Royals stranded 8 runners on base after coming out the gate, jumping all over Chris Paddack in the first frame. Wenceel Perez’s extra base hit saving catch in center was a turning point in the game, and prevented the Royals from causing more damage early in the game.

What a catch by Wenceel Perez!!! #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/uzEcjbhMvU

— Detroit Dan (@dclynick66) August 30, 2025

Friday’s effort from the Tigers was a solid bounce back, after being swept by the A’s in the previous series. Playing fundamental defense, and executing run production from the middle of the lineup, will go a long way in taking this current series against Kansas City. As a result of the loss, the Royals fall to 9.5 games back in the AL Central. If they have any hopes of contending in the division, they can ill-afford to lose anymore games in this series. They remain 3 games outside of the final Wild Card spot in the American League.