Tigers Get 27 Hits in Rout of the Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —  Carlos Pena and the hard-hitting Detroit Tigers left their mark on the Kansas City Royals -- especially on Justin Huisman.

Pena’s line drive struck the Royal reliever on the forehead, leaving a clear imprint of the baseball.

Huisman was OK after Pena’s single, one of a team record-tying 27 hits by the Tigers in a 17-7 romp Thursday.

Things weren’t much better for the Royals before the game when they had to put outfielder Juan Gonzalez on the 15-day disabled list because of a back injury.

“We got so many base hits, I just couldn’t believe it,” Pena said.

Pena was six for six with two home runs and five runs batted in, and now shares the club record for hits in a nine-inning game with Ty Cobb and two others.

Pena tied the American League record for hits in a nine-inning game, with Alfonso Soriano and Frank Catalanotto also doing it this season.

“Things like this never happen. Very, very seldom do they happen,” Pena said.

Detroit also clubbed eight doubles in easily setting the major league high for hits this season, eclipsing the 23 the White Sox got against Minnesota on May 23.

The Tigers also had the most hits in the majors since Boston got 28 in a 25-8 rout of Florida at Fenway Park last June 27.

“What a day!” Detroit Manager Alan Trammell said. “To me, that just sums it up.”

The 27 hits -- eight doubles, 17 singles and Pena’s two home runs -- tied the team record set on Sept. 29, 1928, against the New York Yankees.

Pena, a seldom-used first baseman, started the day with a .204 average. He had two hits off starter Brian Anderson, two off Huisman and homers off Scott Sullivan and Nate Field.

Huisman was struck by Pena’s liner in the sixth. He wobbled a moment and then walked off without assistance.

Afterward, the seams of the ball could be easily seen on his forehead.

“It’s fine. I don’t hurt at all,” said Huisman, who deflected the ball a bit with his glove and cap.

Pena hit a solo homer in the eighth inning and had a three-run shot in the ninth. Alex Sanchez and Omar Infante each had four hits.

Four Royal pitchers set a team record for hits given up, breaking the mark of 26 against the Yankees in 1972.

Royal pitcher Brian Anderson’s record fell to 1-7.