The Royals' bullpen was involved in surrendering a 3-0 lead during a six-run fifth inning as Victor Martinez hit a two-run double off Mike Minor and J.D. Martinez followed with a three-run homer.
The Royals fought back with two runs in the sixth off Tigers reliever Shane Greene. Then, Eric Hosmer smashed an opposite-field home run off reliever Francisco Rodriguez in the seventh, and the Royals had a 7-6 lead.
But Royals right-hander Joakim Soria, who came into the game with a 1.