DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – The night belonged to Joey Wentz as the Tiger pitcher won his first MLB game in front of family and friends, 10-2 over Kansas City. The Prairie Village, Kansas, native grew up watching the Royals but Friday night was not about his childhood team. Wentz came back home and shined in front of his close friends and family going 6.2 innings with five strikeouts for his first win.

Wentz said, “This is definitely cool. You first major league win is obviously special anywhere, but probably a little more special that I have a lot of family and friends here to watch.”

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Detroit gave Wentz the backing he needed for the win with 17 hits and 10 runs in the 10-2 victory. Eric Haase belted two home runs recording three hits for three RBI. Jeimer Candelario also had three hits with a home run and three RBI. Spencer Torkelson added three hits while Riley Greene, Willi Castro, and Javier Baez each recorded a RBI.

Scoring four runs in the second inning set the tone behind Wentz’s pitching. Detroit then added four runs over the fourth through sixth innings for an 8-0 lead. It was 9-0 before Kansas City scored in the bottom of the eighth inning. Detroit added one run in the ninth to make it 10-1 as the Royals found one run in the bottom of the inning.

Haase started the scoring with a home in the second inning followed by a three-run home run by Candelario for the 4-0 lead. Haase then hit his second home run in the sixth inning making it 8-0.

Manager A.J. Hinch said this about the win for Wentz in Kansas City, “I told him when I went out there, ‘It’s pretty awesome to come back and pitch in front of family and friends. These fans are really smart. They’re going to give you a nice ovation. Enjoy this walk, because it doesn’t happen very often, especially on the road.’”

The Tigers will Kansas City again on Saturday at 4:10 p.m.