Kansas City Royals tested one of their new arms in a high-leverage moment. It worked

The Kansas City Royals on Friday night got a closer look at how their revamped bullpen can respond in a high-leverage situation.

In the sixth inning, the Royals clung to a one-run lead over the Detroit Tigers. Royals starter Cole Ragans approached 100 pitches and had allowed two runners on base with two outs.

It was a crucial spot in the game as Royals manager Matt Quatraro popped out of the dugout. Ragans, who wanted to finish the inning, departed as new reliever Lucas Erceg was called upon to escape the late-inning threat.

“None of those guys ever want to come out,” Quatraro said. “I respect the heck out of them for that. ... That’s why it’s a tough decision. But I think it was the right one and Erceg comes in and gets the job done.”

Erceg retired Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez to end the potential rally. From there, the Royals trotted out Angel Zerpa, Chris Stratton and James McArthur to preserve what turned out to be a 9-2 victory at Comerica Park.

Ragans understood the decision after the game.

“That’s what the game called for,” Ragans said. “I’m a competitive guy, and all I want to do is win. I know it’s a team game. Erceg came in and got the guy he needed to get.”

Ragans tossed 5 2/3innings. He allowed a two-run homer to Tigers designated hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy in the first inning. However, he settled in and produced a clean slate for the remainder of the start.

He threw 60 of 97 pitches for strikes and recorded six strikeouts. Despite allowing four walks, Ragans limited the Tigers to only two hits en route to his eighth win of the season.

“I thought the command was a little shaky, but I made pitches when I needed to make a pitch,” Ragans said. “Outside of the homer in the first, I felt like I executed when I needed to execute.”

And the Royals offense did enough damage to support him.

The Royals scored five runs against Tigers ace, and American League Cy Young candidate, Tarik Skubal. Royals captain Salvador Perez led the charge with a solo homer in the second inning.

Perez finished 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. He finished a triple shy of the cycle. Meanwhile, Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to 15 games. And Vinnie Pasquantino produced two RBIs of his own.

KC knocked Skubal from the game with a six-run frame. Skubal suffered his fourth loss as he pitched 6 1/3 innings.

“Skubal is one of the best lefties in the league,” Perez said. “He’s pretty good and knows how to pitch. I think he just made a couple of mistakes and we hit it pretty good. Every time we hit like that, it helps the team to win, and that’s pretty important.”

The Royals continued their offensive barrage against the Tigers bullpen. The lineup produced nine hits (eight singles) in the seventh inning alone.

“That’s kind of what we are trying to do, just pass the baton and get it to the next guy,” Witt said.

The outburst from the offense guided the Royals to their fifth consecutive win. KC improved to 62-49 and remains unbeaten on its seven-game road trip.

Missed previous Royals coverage?

Game 1: Vinnie Pasquantino has career night as Royals defeat Tigers

Top Honor: Royals recognize Bobby Witt Jr., Brady Singer with team award

Here are more notables from Friday’s game:

Royals lineup explodes in 7th inning

The Royals offense proved difficult to stop on Friday. In the seventh inning, KC batted around against the Tigers.

Thirteen batters came to the plate during the inning. The lineup produced nine consecutive hits before the Tigers could retire a second out. Eight of those nine hits were singles; the lone exception was Perez’s RBI double.

The Royals scored six runs in the frame. Pasquantino had a two-run single that extended the lead to 5-2. Next, Witt scored on a wild pitch and Perez doubled home Pasquantino.

“The approaches were so good, especially once we got going a little bit using the other side of the field,” Quatraro said.

KC trio of Hunter Renfroe, Freddy Fermin and Garrett Hampson each singled. Fermin got an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

Paul DeJong, who celebrated his 31st birthday, added the final hit in the inning. He picked up his 42nd RBI of the season to complete the rally.

“It was nice to fight back from being down first, and then that one inning was remarkable,” Quatraro said.

The nine consecutive hits matched a club record last set on May 7, 1980, against the Chicago White Sox.

What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?

The Royals continue their four-game series against the Tigers on Saturday. New acquisition Michael Lorenzen will make his first Royals start against his former team.

Lorenzen spent a portion of the 2023 campaign with the Tigers. He is 5-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) this season. The Royals acquired Lorenzen ahead of the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline from the Texas Rangers.

The Tigers have not announced a starter for Saturday’s game.