Royals fall 8-0 to Tigers in makeup of Wednesday’s game. They’re closing in on history

The Kansas City Royals were back in action early Thursday afternoon.

After rain showers suspended Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, the Royals resumed play with a doubleheader at Comerica Park.

KC started in an early hole, down 4-0, and things would only get worse from there. Detroit cruised to a 8-0 victory and clinched the three-game series.

The second game of Thursday afternoon’s doubleheader began shortly afterward.

Detroit resumed the early game with a four-run lead thanks to home runs by designated hitter Miguel Cabrera and third baseman Tyler Nevin.

Cabrera recorded his 511th career home run Wednesday. He drilled a 93.1 mph fastball over the right-field wall. Nevin’s homer scored three more Tigers.

The Royals turned to Steven Cruz to pitch the fifth inning. He struggled with his control by issuing two walks and hitting a batter. The Tigers added two runs to extend their lead.

“We struggled,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “The walks, and first of all, the 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth — we go and give up two (runs) right away. That really didn’t give us a good shot the rest of the way.”

In the eighth, Tigers catcher Jake Rogers scored two more insurance runs. Rogers homered off Royals reliever Jackson Kowar.

The Royals failed to build any offensive momentum. They struggled against Tigers starter Tarik Skubal on Wednesday — he surrendered just two hits and struck out eight.

Overall, the Royals were limited to four hits in the game.

“Their guys pitched well and we didn’t do enough to manufacture anything,” Quatraro said.

KC dropped to 54-104. With four games remaining, including Thursday afternoon’s game two, the Royals would need go 3-1 in their final four games to avoid tying the franchise mark for most losses in a season.

After Thursday afternoon’s series finale — the regularly scheduled game — they finish the season with a weekend series against the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium.

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Here are more notables from Thursday’s suspended game:

Jonathan Bowlan makes MLB debut

Royals pitcher Jonathan Bowlan had a memorable night Wednesday: He made his major-league debut against the Tigers.

Bowlan started Wednesday’s game. He served as the Royals’ opener and pitched two innings. His first milestone was striking out Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows.

In the second inning, Bowlan surrendered Cabrera’s home run. He finished his start by allowing three hits and one earned run.

“I tried to take it one pitch at a time, execute pitches and do the best I could do,” Bowlan said.

Bowlan was the 11th Royals player to make his debut this season. He was promoted from Triple-A Omaha earlier this month.

“It was kind of what we expected,” Quatraro said. “He threw strikes, a good four-seamer, and he threw a couple of good breaking balls there. It was exciting to see him get the two strikeouts in the first. One home run, but overall it was very positive.”

What’s next: The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Tigers. Cole Ragans was set to start Thursday’s second game. The Tigers were to start Sawyer Gipson-Long.