Wenceel Pérez error destroys Detroit Tigers in brutal loss vs Royals

TL;DR

Wenceel Pérez's error in the eighth inning led to a critical loss for the Detroit Tigers, who fell 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals. The game concluded with a walk-off single from Kyle Isbel in the bottom of the ninth.

Key points

Wenceel Pérez made a critical error in the eighth inning
Detroit Tigers lost 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals
Kyle Isbel hit a walk-off single to win the game
The game was played at Kauffman Stadium
The loss marked the first game of a three-game series

Detroit TigersKansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY, MO – A ground ball from Kyle Isbel shot past diving first baseman Spencer Torkelson and into right field, then snuck underneath the glove of right fielder Wenceel Pérez, rolling to the warning track.

It was a game-changing mistake for the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning.

The Tigers lost, 4-3, to the Kansas City Royals on Friday, May 8, in the first of three games in the series at Kauffman Stadium, fueled by the Royals' two-run comeback in the eighth inning.

The game ended with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Isbel delivered a walk-off single against left-handed reliever Brant Hurter, following pinch-hitter Nick Loftin's double.

Detroit Tigers third baseman Kevin McGonigle (7) during batting practice before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Detroit Tigers second baseman Colt Keith (33) warms up before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, May 8, 2026.