Detroit – The Kansas City Royals, who have the fourth best record in baseball since July 1 (27-16) and had won eight of their last 11, came into Comerica Park fighting for their playoff lives, trailing the Tigers by 9.5 games in the Central Division.

The Tigers, sizzling themselves the last two weeks, more than matched their grit and intensity Friday night.

On Central Michigan University night, Chippewa alum Zach McKinstry homered, tripled and then scored the go-ahead run on a mad dash from first base in a four-run seventh inning, sending the Tigers to a 7-5 win.

McKinstry led off the inning with a bullet single off lefty reliever Bailey Falter. Javier Báez followed with a single to right. McKinstry never stopped around second, challenging the arm of right fielder Randal Grichuk.

The

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