DETROIT _ They scraped and clawed, missing opportunity after opportunity, but still with a chance to win an important series against the defending World Series champions Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers scored on a balk and a wild pitch. Michael Fulmer pitched and Nick Castellanos hit. They bent but didn't break but couldn't get the big hit.
Then Jarrod Saltalamacchia delivered the big hit.
After Tyler Collins led off the ninth inning with a single, Saltalamacchia hit a no-doubt, walk-off home run to rightfield to beat the Royals, 4-2.
It was Saltalamacchia's ninth home run of the season and second career walk-off.
Fulmer was once again fantastic, throwing a career-high eight innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out five. Fulmer has a 2.13 ERA this season.
Fulmer had two streaks snapped in the no decision: For the first time in nine starts, he allowed multiple earned runs. For the first time in 10 starts, he allowed more than five hits.
The Royals jumped ahead with a RBI double by Cheslor Cuthbert in the second inning and a RBI single by Eric Hosmer in the third.
Right-hander Yordano Ventura kept the Tigers' bats at bay but couldn't avoid self-inflicted wounds. After Miguel Cabrera struck out looking with the bases loaded and one out in the third inning, Ventura balked. After Nick Castellanos tripled with two outs in the sixth inning, Ventura threw a wild pitch.
Cabrera and Martinez are struggling; this season, they are a combined 2-for-19 with 10 strikeouts with the bases loaded.
The Tigers stand six games behind the Indians in the American League Central. They are 48-44.
