Gordon slams Tigers

Alex Gordon’s grand slam highlighted a five-run 10th inning for the Kansas City Royals, who rallied against the Detroit bullpen for an 8-3 win Thursday after Tigers ace Justin Verlander left with a thumb injury.

Verlander had been outstanding, once again, through seven innings of work before leaving the game having thrown 96 pitches.

George Kottaras put the Royals ahead 4-3 with a bases-loaded walk off Phil Coke (0-3). Darin Downs came on for Detroit after that, but Gordon broke the game open one out later with his homer over the center-field wall.

Verlander is day-to-day with what the team said was cracked skin on his throwing thumb.

The right-hander allowed two runs – one earned – in seven innings and left with a 3-2 lead. Bruce Rondon gave up the tying run in the eighth in his major league debut.

Tim Collins (1-0) got the win.