Royals 5 Tigers 4 F-11

ROYALS 5 TIGERS 4 F-11

Box Score Recap

The Detroit Tigers blew an early 3-0 lead and lost their season opener to the Kansas City Royals 5-4 in 11 innings this afternoon.

Tigers starter Justin Verlander (6.0 IP 8 H 3 ER 4 BB 5 K's) didn't have the kind of start he was hoping for on Opening Day and exited the game in the 7th inning with the Tigers still leading 3-2 but left runners on base and noone out. Jason Grilli replaced him and gave up the game tying hit to Jack Buck, then Acquilino Lopez would give up the go ahead RBI single to Mark Grudzielanek later in the 7th inning.

With the Tigers down 4-3 in the 8th inning, Carlos Guillen would hit a solo HR off former Padre and Dodger Brett Tomko. The game would go into the 11th inning before Kansas City would break the 4-4 tie after Tony Pena Jr would single home Jack Buck off Tigers' reliever Denny Bautista.

Closer Joakim Soria would close the door in the bottom half of the 11th to give the Royals an Opening Day 5-4 win.

The two teams will face off again tomorrow in Detroit, with the game slated to start at 1:05pm EST. Brian Bannister will go for the Royals while the Tigers will have veteran left-hander Kenny Rogers on the hill.