Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Alex Gordon hit a go-ahead home run leading off the sixth inning, and the Kansas City Royals posted a 2-1 victory over Detroit to salvage the finale of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
The blast to right field came on the first pitch delivered by Tigers reliever Brad Thomas (5-2).
"Just be aggressive," Gordon said of the at-bat. "That's what I did. I got my fastball to hit and I was able to do something with it."
Royals starter Kyle Davies (7-9) limited Detroit to three hits over six full frames. His lone mistake came in the fifth inning, when Casper Wells homered to left field.
Kansas City orchestrated a two-out rally in the first. Detroit starter Armando Galarraga retired the first two batters, but Billy Butler singled, Kila Ka'aihue walked and Wilson Betemit hit a ground-rule double to give the home team an early lead. Galarraga fanned Gordon to avoid further damage.
Having already tied the game on Wells' home run, the Tigers squandered an opportunity to seize control. Alex Avila drew a two-out walk, then Austin Jackson reached on a fielding error by Butler at first. A walk to Will Rhymes load the bases, but Davies retired Johnny Damon on an inning-ending strikeout.
The Kansas City bullpen held Detroit hitless over the final three innings, with Joakim Soria pitching the ninth for his 37th save of the season.
"I don't feel good. My elbow is bothering me," Galarraga said after the game. "My mechanics were off. I don't know if it was because of that. I don't feel strong for some reason."
Galarraga gave up four hits and walked five through five innings...Wells recorded two of Detroit's three hits. Jhonny Peralta had the other hit for the Tigers...Rhymes had a 12-game hitting streak snapped...The Royals halted a three-game losing streak.