KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Justin Upton hit a two-run homer with two out in the eighth inning off Joakim Soria, sending the Detroit Tigers to a 6-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
Upton also doubled in J.D. Martinez in the second. He has seven homers and 18 RBIs in his past 14 games.
Miguel Cabrera was on first after a leadoff single when Upton drove a fastball from Joakim Soria over the wall in center for his 20th homer, giving Detroit a 6-5 lead. Soria (4-7) blew his fourth save in five opportunities.
Shane Greene (3-3) pitched 1 1/3 innings for the win. Francisco Rodriguez worked the ninth for his 38th save in 42 opportunities.
Alcides Escobar led off the ninth with a double them moved to third on a Jarrod Dyson groundout. Dyson barely missed a potential game-winning home run that landed inches foul down the right field line. Alex Gordon lined out then Paulo Orlando grounded sharply to third to end the game.
The Royals finish the homestand 2-4 with all four losses by one run.