DETROIT - Manager Jim Leyland is trying to remain patient with his struggling Detroit Tigers.
Miguel Cabrera, Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila all homered, but the Tigers were unable to overcome a shaky defensive performance in a 9-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. Detroit made four errors, including two errant pickoff throws that allowed runners to advance from first to third.
The Tigers have lost six of their first nine games and have yet to win a series. They lost two of three to Kansas City.
"I don't mind physical errors, but teams are going to take advantage of them," said Leyland. "On the two bad throws by our pitchers, that let a runner go from first to third, which means they can score on a sacrifice fly, so it is even more damaging."
Wilson Betemit went 4-for-4 with two doubles for the Royals. Every Kansas City starter had a hit.
Luke Hochevar gave up three homers, but Detroit managed only two other hits off him in seven innings. He easily outdueled Rick Porcello in a matchup of former first-round picks. Three relievers finished for the Royals, with Joakim Soria getting his third save.
"That was a great day -- not only for me. The team played really hard," Betemit said. "We're starting good right now. We have to keep going."
Porcello was in trouble from the start. He made a wild pickoff throw in the first inning, putting a man on third with one out. He worked out of that jam, but Kansas City broke through in the third. After a walk to Chris Getz, Melky Cabrera slapped a double to left field. Ryan Raburn's throw in to second sailed high for an error, allowing Getz to score and Cabrera to take third. Alex Gordon drove in Cabrera with a grounder.
