Detroit Tigers topped Kansas City Royals 1-0 on June 1, 2025. Zach McKinstry scored; Keider Montero & Chase Lee starred. Tigers enter June with MLB's best record!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a Sunday, Tigers fans! Your Detroit Tigers just wrapped up a nail-biter in Kansas City, edging out the Royals 1-0 to not only clinch the series but also march into June with the best darn record in all of Major League Baseball! That's right, for the first time since 2006, we're looking down from the top of the mountain, and it feels incredible.
The Tigers won a game without recording an RBI for the first time since a 2-1 win in 2023 – talk about finding a way to win!
In a game where hits were at a premium, the difference-maker came in the top of the third. Zach McKinstry, with his trademark hustle, laced a triple to lead off the inning. Then, showing incredible awareness, he scampered home on a wild pitch from Royals starter Kris Bubic. That, folks, was your ballgame. Just one run, but it was pure Tigers baseball – opportunistic and gritty. Riley Greene chipped in with two of Detroit's five hits, keeping the pressure on.
You can't win 1-0 without some serious work on the mound, and the Tigers' staff delivered a masterpiece. Keider Montero got the start and battled through 4 2/3 scoreless innings, scattering seven hits but making the big pitches when needed. The bullpen then slammed the door shut. Chase Lee (now 2-0) was lights out, getting four crucial outs to earn the win. And then came Will Vest, cool as a cucumber, locking down his ninth save of the season. The Royals managed nine hits but couldn't crack the code, stranding eight runners. That's clutch pitching!
It's not every day you see a team win without a single RBI, but that's exactly what happened today. The last time the Tigers pulled off that feat was back in 2023. It speaks volumes about this team's ability to manufacture runs and capitalize on any mistake the opposition makes. While we love the long ball, these kinds of wins build character and prove this team can win in multiple ways. Plus, with no new injuries or roster moves reported, the team's consistency is a major asset.
Taking two of three from the Royals is always sweet, but doing it to maintain the best record in MLB as we flip the calendar to June? That's something special. The players know it, the fans know it, and you can bet social media is buzzing. The official Tigers accounts are celebrating, and rightfully so. This isn't a fluke; this team is playing incredible baseball, and the energy is palpable. It's a fantastic time to be a Tigers fan!
With a well-earned day off likely on the horizon before the next series, the Tigers have every reason to feel confident. This gritty 1-0 win, fueled by smart baserunning and dominant pitching, is just another example of why they're the team to beat. Let's keep this momentum rolling. Go Tigers!
