Miguel Cabrera blasted a two-run, first-inning homer and seven Detroit pitchers made the lead stand as the host Tigers won their fifth straight by edging Kansas City 2-1 on Wednesday.

Cabrera’s long ball was his first since July 25 and fifth of the season.

Detroit’s scheduled starter, Matt Manning, was scratched moments before the game due to arm fatigue. Emergency starter Will Vest gave up one run in one inning.

Daniel Norris (1-4) pitched two scoreless innings and was awarded the victory. Gregory Soto pitched a perfect ninth for his 28th save for the Tigers (62-92).

Kansas City starter Daniel Lynch (4-12) gave up two runs and five hits in six innings. The Royals got a leadoff homer from MJ Melendez off Vest, but then squandered numerous opportunities. They left 13 runners on base and Detroit catcher Eric Haase cut down two baserunners attempting to steal.

Edward Olivares had three of the Royals’ 10 hits. Cabrera was the only Tigers player with more than one hit.

Melendez smacked his 18th homer, an opposite-field shot. Cabrera answered with his two-out, two-run blast, the 507th homer of his career, after a Haase single.

Cabrera had a golden opportunity to give his team an even bigger advantage in the third with the bases loaded and one out. Instead, he bounced into a double play.

The Royals had two baserunners in the fourth but Garrett Hill escaped trouble by striking out Kyle Isbel. The same scenario played out in the fifth inning as Kansas City left two runners stranded when Hill struck out Vinnie Pasquantino.

Kansas City (63-92) loaded the bases against Jose Cisnero in the sixth on a single and two walks. Andrew Chafin replaced Cisnero and retired Melendez on a grounder to preserve Detroit’s slim lead.

The bases were loaded for the Royals again with one out in the seventh when Salvador Perez walked and Pasquantino and Olivares singled. Chafin then struck out Hunter Dozier and induced a Drew Waters grounder to end that threat.

–Field Level Media