Final
Chen helps Royals edge Tigers
Apr 9, 2011 - 11:05 PMVideo
Chen (1-0), who led the Royals with 12 wins last season, scattered three hits, walked one and struck out seven.
Billy Butler finished 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored for Kansas City, which snapped a two-game slide.
Coke (0-2), making his first start of the season and just the second of his career, gave up two runs on three hits and four walks. He also recorded seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Ryan Raburn homered off Kansas City closer Joakim Soria with two outs in the ninth to account for Detroit's lone run. Soria retired the next batter to pick up his second save.
The Royals pushed two runs home in the second inning. Butler led off with a walk and came around to score after consecutive one-out singles by Jeff Francoeur and Wilson Betemit. Brayan Pena walked to load the bases and Alcides Escobar grounded into a fielder's choice, scoring Francoeur.
Detroit threatened in the sixth, but Will Rhymes was thrown out at home attempting to score on a double by Magglio Ordonez.
Two innings later, Kansas City's Robinson Tejeda needed only one pitch to escape a bases-loaded jam.
Francoeur provided insurance with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Game Notes
Both teams had five hits...Chen has won his last five decisions...Butler extended his hitting streak against Detroit to 21 games.
- KANSAS CITY: 3
DETROIT: 1
Final
Apr 9 6:40 PM - Ryan Raburn two-out, solo Home Run (1) to left. Jhonny Peralta due up.
Royals 3, Tigers 1 Bot 9, 2 OutsApr 9 6:39 PM - Jeff Francoeur sacrifice fly out to left in foul territory scored Alex Gordon with one out. Runners on first and second and Wilson Betemit due up.
Royals 3, Tigers 0 Top 9, 1 OutApr 9 6:34 PM - Alcides Escobar grounded into a fielder's choice, short to second scored Jeff Francoeur with two outs. Runners on first and third and Chris Getz due up.
Royals 2, Tigers 0 Top 2, 2 OutsApr 9 4:39 PM - Wilson Betemit singled to left scored Billy Butler with one out. Runners on second and third and Brayan Pena due up.
Royals 1, Tigers 0 Top 2, 1 OutApr 9 4:34 PM - KANSAS CITY: 0
DETROIT: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 9 4:11 PM
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