The Detroit Tigers blew a 4-0 lead in the last two innings, but took advantage of an error in the bottom of the ninth and beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Thursday afternoon, sweeping a four game series and keeping hold of first place. Alex Avila drove in the winning run with a bases loaded ground out to end a bizzare game in which the Royals committed five errors. Doug Fister was brilliant for the first seven innings, allowing just one hit, and retiring 16 straight hitters. During that stretch Fister set both a Tigers' and an American League record, by striking out nine hitters in a row. He finished the game with 10 strike outs, but got no decision when Joaquin Benoit served up a home run in the top of the ninth to Billy Butler that tied the game. Quintin Berry tripled in two runs and Delmon Young and Prince Fielder also had RBI. The Tigers begin a three game series in Minnesota on Friday night.
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