DETROIT (Interstat) — In a tense, low-scoring affair defined by stellar starting pitching and a decisive late swing, the Detroit Tigers edged the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Wednesday night at Comerica Park, securing their second consecutive one-run victory in the series.

A crowd of 19,609 watched as the game’s pivotal moment arrived in the bottom of the eighth inning with the score knotted at 1. Facing Royals reliever Eli Morgan, Detroit’s Wenceel Pérez, who entered the game as a defensive replacement, drove a solo home run over the right-field fence. The 386-foot blast, Pérez’s first of the season, broke the deadlock and propelled the Tigers to a .500 record at 9-9, while the Royals fell to 7-11.

The contest was a classic pitcher’s duel for six innings, featuring dominant performances from both starters. Detroit’s Jack Flaherty delivered his best outing of the young season, overpowering the Kansas City lineup. The right-hander pitched six strong innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out seven. He did not factor in the decision but effectively kept his team in the game, rebounding sharply from a rocky start against St. Louis earlier in the month.

Kansas City’s Seth Lugo was nearly his equal, matching Flaherty’s intensity over 6 2/3 innings. Lugo surrendered five hits and one earned run, also striking out seven. His lone blemish came in a chaotic third inning that saw both teams successfully challenge key plays.

The Tigers struck first in that third frame. Javier Báez lined a double to right, but Zach McKinstry was thrown out at the plate on a relay from right fielder Jac Caglianone to catcher Salvador Perez after a Royals challenge overturned the initial safe call. Báez then advanced to third on the play and subsequently scored when Jake Rogers’ sacrifice fly to right was upheld upon a Tigers challenge, knotting the game at 1 after initially being ruled the third out.

The Royals answered in the fifth against Flaherty. Michael Massey walked, Caglianone followed with another walk, and Kyle Isbel delivered a two-out RBI single to right, scoring Massey to give Kansas City a brief 2-1 lead.

Both bullpens took over from there, maintaining the delicate balance. The Royals’ Daniel Lynch IV escaped a minor jam in the seventh, but the tie would not last. Morgan entered for the eighth and served up the fateful homer to Pérez on a 1-1 count. Detroit threatened to add more, putting runners on the corners with one out after a Kevin McGonigle walk and a Gleyber Torres single, but Colt Keith flew out to end the inning.

Armed with a one-run lead, Detroit turned to its veteran closer. Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth for his fourth save, though he allowed a two-out single to the red-hot Caglianone before inducing a game-ending flyout from Lane Thomas. Caglianone was a bright spot for Kansas City, finishing a perfect 3 for 3 with a triple and a walk.

Kyle Finnegan earned the win for Detroit, pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Eli Morgan took the loss for Kansas City.

The game defied pregame projections, as the teams combined for only three runs, well under the posted over/under of 8.5. The result continued a trend of close games between the clubs, with Detroit winning both matchups this week by a single run.

The Tigers will go for a series sweep on Thursday afternoon before embarking on a four-game road trip to Boston. The Royals, meanwhile, look to avoid the sweep before heading to New York for a weekend series against the Yankees.