DETROIT (AP) – Doug Fister set an AL record by striking out nine
straight batters and the Detroit Tigers kept their lead in the
Central, beating the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Thursday on Alex
Avila’s grounder in the ninth inning.
The Tigers began the day with a one-game edge over the Chicago
White Sox, who later hosted Tampa Bay.
Fister came within one strikeout of matching Tom Seaver’s major
league record of 10 in a row.
But the Tigers blew a 4-0 lead after seven innings, and Joaquin Benoit (5-3) allowed a solo homer by Billy Butler to tie it in the ninth.
The Royals made five errors, including one that loaded the bases
in the ninth.
Avila hit a grounder to first baseman Brayan Pena, who made a diving stop and touched the bag, but had no play at home.
Tim Collins (5-4) got the loss.
