Tigers edge Royals in 11th inning on Kinsler’s walk-off homer

DETROIT The grim, solemn slog of the Royals toward their first division title since 1985 continued on Saturday night, even after a 6-5 loss to the Tigers in 11 innings.

The Minnesota Twins were swept in a doubleheader by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, an outcome that reduced Kansas City’s magic number to four games. Any combination of Royals wins and Twins losses in the next two weeks would grant Kansas City the American League Central crown. At this point, Minnesota appears to be Kansas City’s best ally, as the Royals themselves remain in a profound funk.

Ian Kinsler ended the contest with a walk-off homer off rookie Miguel Almonte.

The game finished with a walk-off for the second night in a row. The Royals (86-62) survived an unusual situation in the bottom of the ninth, when the Tigers appeared to end the game on a sacrifice fly by backup infielder Andrew Romine. Kinsler ran home from third and umpire Gary Cederstrom signaled him safe.

But manager Ned Yost asked for a replay review. The challenge showed that Salvador Perez dropped a tag on Kinsler’s toe just before Kinsler touched home. After a two-minute, 10-second delay, the call was overturned.

In the end, it did not matter, and the Royals missed a chance to expand their lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the race for best record in the American League and home-field advantage in the postseason. Toronto lost in the afternoon, but Kansas City did not capitalize, even after the replay review.

The Royals mounted no offensive challenge against Detroit in the next two innings. Almonte was asked to pitch a second inning after getting through the 10th.

In the eighth, trailing by a run, Eric Hosmer homered for the first time since Aug. 14, snapping a streak of 118 at-bats without one. He swatted a fastball from reliever Bruce Rondon, a member of Detroit’s flammable bullpen, for a solo shot.

Hosmer helped the team recover from a rocky outing in relief from former starter Chris Young. He lost the handle on his fastball and walked slugger Miguel Cabrera. Two batters later, Victor Martinez crushed a belt-high, 87-mph fastball for a two-run homer.

Edinson Volquez labored through six innings with heavy traffic on the bases. He gave up seven hits and issued four walks. Still, he held Detroit to three runs. He qualified for a quality start.

The Royals sought an extended outing from him. After a 12-inning game on Friday, manager Ned Yost decided he would not use Greg Holland, Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera or Ryan Madson. The exhaustion allowed Yost to delay a bullpen shakeup that looks inevitable.

Holland blew his fifth save of the season on Friday. His ERA rose to 3.83 with a 1.88 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Both numbers pale compared to his statistics from 2011 to 2014, when he posted a 1.86 ERA and a 3.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His fastball lacks its usual velocity and his entire arsenal suffers from imprecise command.

Yost could demote Holland from the closer’s role. But he indicated on Saturday afternoon he did not need to choose.

“I don’t have to make that decision today, is what I’m telling you,” Yost said. “And I don’t make those types of decisions rashly. I try to think through it. So I’ve got more time. I’ll continue to think through it.”

More clarity should arrive by, at the latest, Tuesday, when the team begins its final stand of the regular season at Kauffman Stadium. Once there, the Royals will attempt to clinch a champagne celebration that eluded them on this road trip.

Volquez took a one-run advantage to the mound in the third. An inning earlier, Kendrys Morales swung at a 90-mph fastball from Tigers southpaw Matt Boyd and lifted it over the right-field fence.

The lead was short-lived. To start the third, Volquez allowed a double to catcher Alex Avila, who came to the plate with a .186 batting average. Outfielder Anthony Gose flared a single into left and later stole second base.

With two on, two out and first base unoccupied, Volquez made the mistake of throwing a strike to Cabrera. A curveball by Volquez fluttered over the plate. Cabrera stroked it to right for a two-run single.

Kansas City tied the game in the top of the fifth. Mike Moustakas bashed an 88-mph fastball about a dozen rows deep into stands in right. In the process, Moustakas tied a career-high with 20 home runs and 73 RBI in one season. He set both marks in 2012. He can surpass both marks in these next two weeks.

Volquez let Detroit pull back in front in the bottom of the inning. Cabrera singled and outfielder J.D. Martinez doubled. A sacrifice fly by Victor Martinez plated Cabrera. Lorenzo Cain sprinted for an over-the-shoulder catch to prevent an extra-base hit, but a run still scored.

The Royals scrambled to score two runs in the seventh. Hosmer ignited the rally with a double. Into the game stepped reliever Al Alburquerque, who tried his best to hand a victory to his opponents.

First, Alburquerque lost a wild pitch with Hosmer on third. That tied the game. Then he walked Jonny Gomes. Jarrod Dyson replaced Gomes on the bases. With Dyson preparing to run, Alburquerque balked.

Dyson moved into scoring position. Two batters later, after an intentional walk of Salvador Perez, Dyson jetted home on a single by backup infielder Christian Colon.

(c)2015 The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.)

Visit The Kansas City Star (Kansas City, Mo.) at www.kansascity.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.