DETROIT (AP) — Bruce Chen allowed three hits over six impressive innings, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Saturday.
Wilson Betemit and Alcides Escobar drove in runs in the second inning for Kansas City, and Jeff Francoeur added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
The Royals' previous four wins all came in their last at-bat, but they needed no dramatics this time with Chen (1-0) protecting the early lead.
Detroit loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, but Magglio Ordonez hit a popup on Robinson Tejeda's only pitch of the game. Joakim Soria pitched the ninth and allowed a two-out home run by Ryan Raburn before holding on for his second save.
