DETROIT (AP) -- Prince Fielder hit a two-run, game-tying homer in the first, Delmon Young had a two-run home run to pad the lead in the seventh inning and the Detroit Tigers held on to beat the Kansas City Royals 8-7 Saturday.
Detroit closer Jose Valverde started the ninth with a four-run lead and almost lost it. Valverde walked Alex Gordon on four pitches to lead off the inning, gave up a double to Alcides Escobar and walked Eric Hosmer to load the bases.
All-Star Billy Butler hit a two-run single to pull Kansas City within two runs. Yuniesky Betancourt nearly hit a go-ahead, three-run homer on a fly center fielder Austin Jackson tracked down near the wall in left-center.
Jackson charged to make an underhanded catch on Mike Moustakas sacrifice fly for the second out and Jeff Francoeur struck out.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
