DETROIT _ The Royals were unable to build on Friday night's unconventional, slump-busting win on Saturday afternoon. They lost to the Tigers, 12-4, at Comerica Park.
Starter Danny Duffy _ forced to pitch on fewer than the usual four days' rest because of the two doubleheaders the Royals played in four days _ allowed six earned runs on 10 hits in 42/3 innings.
Although Duffy received some offensive backup, with the Royals matching the Tigers run for run through four innings, the Royals couldn't overcome the 6-3 lead the Tigers took in the fifth.
Outfielder Abraham Almonte, who was 3 for 4 in the game, tried to start a rally. He bounced a single into right field to lead off the sixth inning. He moved to third base on an Alcides Escobar's double and scored when Jon Jay grounded out to third base.
But KC's bullpen couldn't maintain status quo long enough for the Royals _ who saw the bottom four hitters in their lineup knock seven of their 11 hits _ to continue denting the deficit. Relievers Blaine Boyer, Justin Grimm and Burch Smith combined to surrender six runs on six hits, four walks and a sacrifice fly.
The bullpen's efforts exacerbated a fifth inning that had quickly spiraled out of control for Duffy.
Victor Martinez singled up the middle to lead off the frame, and he came around to score four batters later when Dixon Machado laced a two-out RBI hit up the third-base line.
Leonys Martin loomed on deck. The left-handed Tigers leadoff hitter had chipped at Duffy's line earlier in the game, stinging a low-90s fastball over the head of Almonte in center field for a double. Martin scored the game's first run minutes later on Nicholas Castellanos' shift-beating single through the hole in the right side of the infield.
Rather than give Martin a fourth at-bat against Duffy, Royals manager Ned Yost turned to rookie Tim Hill, the left-handed, sidearm-throwing reliever who had not allowed a hit in seven appearances.
The strategy did not pay off. Martin laid down a bunt to the third-base side. Royals catcher Drew Butera raced to the ball but kicked it a foot away before he could corral it. The single loaded the bases. The Tigers drew back-to-back walks and scored on each before Royals reliever Kevin McCarthy came in to record the last out of the inning.
Duffy took his third loss of the season as the Royals dropped to 4-15.
