As returns from an injury go, it would be difficult to top Brett Eibner’s night.
Out since spraining his left ankle on May 31, Eibner drove in two runs, the second on his first major-league home run that staked the Royals to a lead.
But the advantage was short-lived because Royals pitchers wouldn’t keep the ball inside Kauffman Stadium in the Tigers’ 10-4 victory before 33,568 on Thursday.
The Tigers blasted six home runs — three by Victor Martinez — and two in the decisive seventh inning. James McCann opened the inning with a solo shot off Luke Hochevar to make it 4-4.