Spencer Torkelson hit a three-run homer, Casey Mize pitched seven solid innings and the host Detroit Tigers edged the slumping Kansas City Royals, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon.Torkelson has eight RBIs in the four-game series, which concludes on Sunday.Mize (3-1) gave up one run and four hits. He struck out three and walked one in his longest outing since the 2021 season. Will Vest notched his first save.Freddy Fermin homered for the Royals, who have lost six straight. Starter Seth Lugo gave up three runs and five hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.The Tigers had a threat in the second. Dillon Dingler led off with a double and moved to third on a grounder. Trey Sweeney drew a walk before Dingler was thrown out at home trying to score on Javier Baez’s comebacker. Ryan Kreidler then grounded out.In the top of the fifth, Drew Waters reached on a throwing error by shortstop Sweeney. With two out, Jonathan India singled to put two runners on. Bobby Witt Jr. then lined out to left.Baez sparked Detroit’s three-run fifth with a one-out single. Kerry Carpenter slapped a two-out, opposite field single before Torkelson drilled a 1-2 Lugo offering over the left-field wall.Torkelson’s homer was his team-leading seventh this season.
