BASEBALL: Wenceel Perez's late homer vs. Royals runs Tigers' win streak to 5

The Detroit Tigers extended their winning streak to five games with a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, powered by a late home run from Wenceel Perez.

Perez delivered the decisive blow in the eighth inning, launching his first home run of the season to break a 1-1 tie and secure the win for Detroit. The homer came off Eli Morgan and proved to be the difference in another tightly contested game between the two clubs.

Reliever Kyle Finnegan earned the win after tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings, while Kenley Jansen closed the door in the ninth for his fourth save of the season and second in as many nights.

Jake Rogers drove in the Tigers’ other run, while Gleyber Torres led the offense with three hits. Detroit also claimed a 2-1 win over Kansas City in the series opener on Tuesday.

The Royals’ lone run came from Kyle Isbel, who delivered an RBI single in the fifth inning. Kansas City has struggled offensively, scoring two or fewer runs in 11 games this season.

Both starting pitchers turned in strong performances. Seth Lugo allowed one run on five hits over 6 2/3 innings for Kansas City, striking out seven without issuing a walk. Detroit’s Jack Flaherty matched him with one run on two hits across six innings, adding seven strikeouts and three walks.

Detroit struck first in the third inning. After Zach McKinstry singled and Javier Baez doubled, Rogers lifted a sacrifice fly to right field. Baez scored on a close play at the plate, with the call overturned after a replay review.

Kansas City tied the game in the fifth when Isbel drove in Michael Massey, who had reached base earlier in the inning.

Perez’s eighth-inning homer ultimately sealed the win for the Tigers, who continue to build momentum with another narrow victory. -Field Level Media/Reuters