Alcides Escobar

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.