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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
DETROIT (AP) -- Gregg Zaun knows that catching and handling
pitchers is his top priority as his playing time increases for the
Kansas City Royals. But a few key base hits don't hurt, either.
Zaun hit a two-run double in a four-run sixth inning that lifted
the Royals to their fifth straight win, 8-5 over the Detroit Tigers
in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Saturday.
|  | | Was that the Detroit Stars playing the Kansas City Monarchs on Saturday? No, the Tigers and Royals were in those uniforms for their annual tribute to the Negro Leagues. |
Zaun also had an RBI single in the seventh for the Royals, whose
winning streak matched their longest of the season.
"I like to come up with the big hit and help the ballclub,"
said Zaun, who just missed another RBI hit in the ninth when center
fielder Juan Encarnacion hauled in his drive to the right field
gap. "You don't want to rely on the same five guys every night."
Zaun began spring training with the Tigers as part of the Juan
Gonzalez trade with Texas but was dealt to Kansas City before the
season started. The journeyman backup is now the Royals' top
catcher after Jorge Fabregas went on the disabled list with an
inflamed right elbow.
"There's probably one other time he's had the opportunity to
play a lot in the big leagues," Royals manager Tony Muser said.
"He had a good day with the bat and worked hard behind the plate.
He had some big hits."
Johnny Damon, who was 15-for-22 (.681) through the first four
games of the Royals' winning string, was 0-for-5 in the opener. His
15 hits tied the AL record for most in four games.
The Royals trailed 3-2 when Joe Randa led off the sixth with a
single, Mark Quinn singled and Todd Dunwoody walked to load the
bases. That finished Tigers starter Dave Mlicki (4-10).
Zaun greeted Danny Patterson with a double that just eluded left
fielder Bobby Higginson.
Luis Ordaz drove in two more when he singled through a drawn-in
infield to give the Royals a 6-3 lead.
Jay Witasick (3-8) got through seven innings, giving up six hits
and a season-high six walks. But he allowed only three runs to win
for the first time since June 28.
"He was fortunate, we were fortunate," Muser said. "He was
behind in the count and walked the leadoff hitter three times.
Let's say he was fortunate in the times when he did make quality
pitches."
Higginson said Witasick was just wild enough to keep the Tigers
off balance.
"He's a guy that his ball's all around the place, so you can't
really zone him up," Higginson said. "You look in a certain area,
the next thing you know he misses a spot and just comes in and jams
you. We just couldn't figure him out."
An emergency alarm interrupted play briefly in the bottom of the
ninth. A Tigers official said it was a false alarm and play resumed
after about two minutes.
It was the second time this season that the alarm has stopped
play at Comerica Park. It also happened May 14 against the New York
Yankees.
Dean Palmer hit an RBI single after play resumed. Ricky
Bottalico relieved for the last two outs and got his seventh save
in 13 chances.
The Tigers have won just one of their last five after winning 10
of their previous 14. They're 0-4 at home against Kansas City this
season.
"That's a team we need to take charge against," Tigers manager
Phil Garner said. "We've not taken it to them, they've taken it to
us. We came back and we let them right back in the ballgame and
didn't stop them.
"They've just eaten us alive in our own ballpark."
Quinn had two RBI, including a run-scoring double in the ninth.
Encarnacion was 3-for-4 and scored twice. Rookie Eric Munson,
making his first career start, had his first RBI with a run-scoring
groundout in the fourth.
Game
notes
The Tigers had planned to send Munson back to the minors
after the game to make room for RHP Steve Sparks. Instead,
Patterson was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right
elbow and Munson stayed. ... The Royals also won five straight from
May 5-10. ... The game included the Tigers' annual Negro Leagues
salute. The Tigers wore replica uniforms of the Detroit Stars and
the Royals dressed as the Kansas City Monarchs.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Kansas City Clubhouse
Detroit Clubhouse
RECAPS
Kansas City 8
Detroit 5
Detroit 10
Kansas City 6
(2nd game)
Oakland 10
Anaheim 3
Seattle 13
Texas 5
Baltimore 8
Toronto 2
Tampa Bay 12
NY Yankees 4
Boston 8
Chi. White Sox 6
Minnesota 10
Cleveland 6
NY Mets 4
Atlanta 0
Cincinnati 7
Arizona 3
Houston 10
St. Louis 5
Chicago Cubs 3
Milwaukee 2
San Francisco 5
Los Angeles 2
Montreal 17
Florida 7
Pittsburgh 2
Philadelphia 1
Colorado 9
San Diego 4
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