Tigers rally in 9th to sweep Royals

Kansas City drops series finale 10-9 at Comerica Park

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game, with overlapping shapes and planes of bright orange, navy blue, and forest green, capturing the dynamic energy and shifting momentum of the game.The Tigers' dramatic 9th-inning comeback against the Royals showcases the unpredictable nature of divisional rivalries in Major League Baseball.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Royals were swept by the Detroit Tigers after losing the series finale 10-9 at Comerica Park. The Royals led 9-7 going into the bottom of the 9th inning, but the Tigers rallied for 3 runs to walk off with the victory and complete the 3-game sweep.

Why it matters

The loss drops the Royals to 7-12 on the season, further behind the division-leading Tigers in the AL Central standings. The Royals' bullpen struggles continue to plague them, as they were unable to hold a late lead against their division rivals.

The details

The Royals got strong offensive performances from Salvador Perez, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino, who also homered. But the Tigers rallied in the 9th, with Dillon Dingler and Riley Greene driving in runs before Colt Keith delivered the game-winning single off Royals reliever Lucas Erceg.

  • The series finale took place on April 17, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit.
  • The Royals now head to New York to face the Yankees later tonight.

The players

Salvador Perez

All-Star catcher for the Kansas City Royals.

Vinnie Pasquantino

Rookie first baseman for the Kansas City Royals.

Dillon Dingler

Outfielder for the Detroit Tigers.

Riley Greene

Outfielder for the Detroit Tigers.

Colt Keith

Infielder for the Detroit Tigers.

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What they’re saying

“We had the lead late but just couldn't hold on. Tough way to end the series, but we'll regroup and get ready for the Yankees.”

— Salvador Perez, Royals Catcher

What’s next

The Royals will look to bounce back tonight as they visit the New York Yankees, while the Tigers will try to build on their sweep when they host the Cleveland Guardians.

The takeaway

The Royals' bullpen struggles continue to be a major issue, as they were unable to protect a late lead against their division rivals. The Tigers, meanwhile, showed resilience in rallying for the victory and sweeping the series.