Spencer Torkelson, Tigers use big 7th inning to sweep Royals

Spencer Torkelson's three-run home run capped a seven-run, seventh-inning outburst, and the host Detroit Tigers completed a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals with a 7-3 victory on Thursday.

Parker Meadows had three hits, a run and an RBI, while Matt Vierling supplied two hits and two RBIs. Andy Ibanez had the go-ahead hit for the Tigers (76-83), who have won four straight.

The Tigers claimed an 8-0 victory earlier in the day, completing a suspended game from the previous night.

Detroit starter Sawyer Gipson-Long gave up three runs (two earned) and four hits while striking out six in five innings. Jose Cisnero (3-4) pitched a scoreless inning and was credited with the win.

Royals starter Cole Ragans (7-5) was charged with four runs in 6 1/3 innings while striking out eight. Michael Massey hit a two-run homer for Kansas City (54-105).

The Royals grabbed the lead in the first inning. Bobby Witt Jr. reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and moved up to third when first baseman Tyler Nevin booted Massey's grounder. Edward Olivares brought Witt home with a two-out single.

Kansas City added to its advantage in the third. MJ Melendez drew a leadoff walk, and after a pair of flyouts, Massey smashed his 15th homer over the right field wall.

Gipson-Long bounced back to strike out the side in the fourth inning.

Andre Lipcius led off the bottom of the fifth with a single. After two strikeouts, Meadows bounced a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Ragans then struck out Vierling to snuff out that threat.

Lipcius singled again with one out in the seventh. Zack Short and Carson Kelly walked to load the bases with no outs. Meadows singled to right to bring in Lipcius and end Ragans' day.

He was replaced by Carlos Hernandez, who promptly gave up a game-tying, two-run single to Vierling. Ibanez followed with a go-ahead single before Torkelson crushed his 30th homer over the left field wall.