Royals lose a heartbreaker to Tigers, 10-9

Q: What was the final score of the Royals vs Tigers game on April 16, 2026?

The final score was 10-9 in favor of the Detroit Tigers.

Q: How did the Royals perform with runners in scoring position against the Tigers?

The Royals finished 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position during the game.

Q: Who hit a three-run homer for the Royals in the game?

Salvador Perez hit a three-run homer that gave the Royals an 8-6 lead.

Q: What significant play did Bobby Witt Jr. make in the game?

Bobby Witt Jr. scored three runs and had multiple key hits, including leading off innings with doubles.

Detroit Tigers third baseman Kevin McGonigle (7), right, and second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) celebrate a 2-RBI double from left fielder Riley Greene (31) during the ninth inning against Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 16, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images In a game marred by delays, it looked like the Royals would take the series finale against the Tigers to avoid the sweep, and this after trailing by five runs midway through the game. Unfortunately, the top of Detroit’s lineup had other plans. The game started after an hour-plus rain delay. Detroit struck first in the bottom of the second when Spencer Torkelson doubled to left, scoring Matt Vierling. Not very long after, the Royals tied it in the top of the fourth when Bobby Witt Jr., who doubled to lead off the inning and then moved to third on a very long fly ball by Vinnie Pasquantino, scored on an infield single by . By the end of the game, the Royals, who had greatly struggled scoring runs and hitting with runners in scoring position lately, finished 5-for-10 with RISP. Bobby Witt Jr., who had only scored one run entering today’s contest, scored three times. Royals starting pitcher ran into trouble in the fifth inning, which the Tigers entered winning 2-1. By the end of the frame, Bubic was out of the game and Detroit had extended their lead to 6-1 thanks in large part to a two-run home run by catcher off reliever John Schrieber. In all, Bubic lasted only 4-and-2/3 innings while allowing five earned runs on six hits and three walks to go along with three strikeouts. He did not look sharp. The Royals didn’t fold, though, instead chipping away at the lead. In the top of the sixth, Bobby Witt Jr. once again led off the inning with a double and once more moved to third on a fly out by Pasquantino, who hit several hard ball outs during the game. Bob ended up scoring his second run of the game on a sacrifice fly by , who roped a screamer to left that Riley Greene caught sliding. 6-2, Tigers. entered for the Royals against his former team, and while he allowed a runner to reach third, escaped the sixth with the score intact. In the next half-frame, the top of the seventh, the Royals bats busted open as the team batted around while scoring six runs to take a 8-6 lead. The fun started with a lead-off double by who scored when singled up the middle on a ball that hit the second base bag. It was Cags’ first RBI of the season. I’ll note here that in the fourth, Cags, who had three hits and a walk yesterday with an outfield assist, nailed a runner at the plate for yet another outfield assist. Couple of good days for the youngster. then pinch-hit for , today’s starting left fielder. Thomas drew a four-pitch walk. then sacrificed Cags and Thomas over. The lineup flipped and drove in Cags to cut the lead to 6-4. Bob followed with a check-swing infield single that scored Thomas and made it a one-run game. Pasquantino lined out to bring up Salvy with two on and two out. After completely whiffing on an 86-MPH cutter right down the middle, Perez battled back, and on the 10th pitch of the at-bat, ended up on one knee as he corked a go-ahead three-run homer to left. Thus ended an 0-for-22 with RISP skid for Salvy. 8-6, Royals. Immediately, the fourth and final delay of the game took place as rain briefly poured. About 40 minutes later, the game resumed, as Carter Jensen singled, but India fanned to end the big inning. entered for the Royals, and hoo boy, was that an adventure. Kevin McGonigle tripled to start and scored on a foul-out by . 8-7. Isbel then robbed Dingler of extra bases with a fantastic sliding catch at the wall. After giving up another hit, Mears escaped with the Royals clinging to the lead. Not much happened for either team in the eighth. kept the Tigers at bay and the game headed to the ninth. In the top half, Pasquantino finally hit a hard ball fair, and it went out for his first homer of the season. The Royals had their insurance run, and came out to close down the game. Erceg couldn’t do it. He allowed the first two batters to reach, on a single and walk, respectively. He then struck out Carpenter and induced a line-out by Dingler. Two down. Next up, Riley Greene, who on the payoff pitch lined one down the first-base line. Torres scored easily from second with McGonigle not too far behind him. Erceg slapped his glove in frustration. The game ended in the next at-bat as singled home Greene. Cags had a chance to get him, but Greene slid in ahead of the throw. Ballgame: 10-9 Detroit. Now the Royals are 7-12 and begin a three-game trip to the Bronx tomorrow night against the . Today’s game was great, and it would’ve been fantastic to write about a Royals win to staunch the bleeding and move them to 8-11. Instead, the Royals are suddenly five games below .500 and don’t return home until Monday.