KANSAS CITY -- Five days ago, all that could stop Michael Fulmer was a pitch count. On Wednesday, all that could stop the balls the Royals hit off of him were the outfield walls and seats of Kauffman Stadium.
This is the conundrum the Tigers have faced all season with Fulmer, a former All-Star who looked a year ago like he could be Detroit's ace for years or the most attractive target on the trade market. After the Royals hit Fulmer for seven runs and seven extra-base hits over just 3 2/3 innings in Thursday's 9-2 Detroit defeat, Tigers officials and the flustered right-hander are left to figure things out again.