Michael Pineda gave the Tigers what they needed, but the offense was once again completely overwhelmed by Brad Keller as the Royals took the first of four by a score of 3-1 on Monday afternoon.
Both starting pitchers got off on the right foot in this one. Brad Keller struck out Riley Greene and Javy Báez in the first inning, while Michael Pineda walked Bobby Witt Jr., who promptly stole second, with two outs but froze Vinnie Pasquantino with a fastball on the outer edge for strike three to turn the Royals away. The Tigers got a two-out single from Willi Castro in the top of the second, but Spencer Torkelson struck out swinging to end the inning before any threat materialized.