KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — Kyle Isbel’s two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning drove in Nick Loftin and lifted the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium before a crowd of 29,374.

The win pulled the Royals even with the Tigers at 18-21 on the season, as both clubs have now split the first four meetings of the season series.

Detroit took an early lead in the second inning when Riley Greene doubled and scored on a groundout by Spencer Torkelson as part of a double play. The Tigers extended their advantage to 3-1 in the sixth inning with a two-run outburst. Dillon Dingler reached on a fielder’s choice, moved to second on a single by Greene, and scored on a double by Wenceel Pérez. Torkelson followed with a double that plated Pérez and gave Detroit a two-run cushion.

The Tigers’ lead held until the bottom of the eighth inning, when the Royals mounted their comeback. Michael Massey led off with a double and advanced to third on an infield single by Isbel that was misplayed by right fielder Wenceel Pérez, allowing Isbel to reach third. Maikel Garcia then singled to center field, scoring Isbel and tying the game at 3. After a walk to Bobby Witt Jr., the Royals were unable to push across the go-ahead run when Vinnie Pasquantino grounded into a double play and Salvador Perez walked before Lane Thomas grounded out.

In the bottom of the ninth, with the score still 3-3, Jac Caglianone led off with a lineout to right field. Isaac Collins struck out swinging for the second out. Loftin then doubled sharply to center field off Brant Hurter. Isbel followed with a ground-ball single to left field, and Loftin raced home with the winning run.

Lucas Erceg earned the victory, improving to 3-1 after pitching a scoreless top of the ninth inning despite allowing a leadoff double to Zach McKinstry. Erceg retired the next three batters, including a strikeout of Zack Short on a bunt popout that was ruled batter interference, and then induced flyouts from Kerry Carpenter and Colt Keith.

Hurter took the loss, falling to 4-1. He worked 1 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out one.

Keider Montero started for Detroit and delivered six solid innings, allowing three hits, one earned run and striking out four without issuing a walk. Kris Bubic started for Kansas City and went 5 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and three earned runs with five strikeouts and four walks. John Schreiber pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the Royals, allowing one hit. Luinder Avila worked a scoreless eighth, giving up one hit and striking out one. Nick Mears faced one batter in the eighth and allowed a hit but no runs.

For Detroit, Riley Greene went 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Wenceel Pérez doubled and drove in a run. Torkelson doubled and had one RBI. McKinstry doubled in the ninth.

For Kansas City, Isbel was 2 for 4 with two RBIs, including the game-winner. Garcia had two hits and an RBI. Massey doubled. Loftin doubled.

The game had a time of 2:42.

Detroit had lost three straight to Boston before winning its previous series against Texas, while Kansas City had dropped three of its last four coming in. The two clubs play again Saturday and Sunday at Kauffman Stadium before the Tigers travel to New York to face the Mets and the Royals visit Chicago to play the White Sox.

Onto the underlying numbers: Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Kansas City Royals 6, Detroit Tigers 4. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Kansas City with a 51.90 percent probability to win. Kansas City had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus-1.5. The total score of seven went over the over/under line of 8.5.