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Spencer Torkelson hit a three-run homer, Casey Mize pitched seven solid innings and the host Detroit Tigers edged the slumping Kansas City Royals, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon.

Torkelson has eight RBIs in the four-game series, which concludes on Sunday.

Mize (3-1) gave up one run and four hits. He struck out three and walked one in his longest outing since the 2021 season. Will Vest notched his first save.

Freddy Fermin homered for the Royals, who have lost six straight. Starter Seth Lugo gave up three runs and five hits with five strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.

The Tigers had a threat in the second. Dillon Dingler led off with a double and moved to third on a grounder. Trey Sweeney drew a walk before Dingler was thrown out at home trying to score on Javier Baez’s comebacker. Ryan Kreidler then grounded out.

In the top of the fifth, Drew Waters reached on a throwing error by shortstop Sweeney. With two out, Jonathan India singled to put two runners on. Bobby Witt Jr. then lined out to left.

Baez sparked Detroit’s three-run fifth with a one-out single. Kerry Carpenter slapped a two-out, opposite field single before Torkelson drilled a 1-2 Lugo offering over the left-field wall.

Torkelson’s homer was his team-leading seventh this season.

Mize retired the first two batters in the seventh before Fermin jumped on a first-pitch sinker and lifted it over the left field wall. Fermin’s homer was his first of the season.

India led off the eighth against Brenan Hanifee with a double down the left-field line. Witt flied out and Vinnie Pasquantino lined out. Salvador Perez then hit a long fly ball that left fielder Carpenter hauled in against the wall.

Torkelson reached second in the bottom of the inning on a walk and sacrifice. The next two batters popped out.

Waters drew a 10-pitch walk with two out in the ninth and Fermin reached on an infield single. Kyle Isbel then popped out to end the game.

–Field Level Media