DETROIT -- Alex Gonzalez took the field at Comerica Park on Monday as Detroit's oldest Opening Day shortstop since Alan Trammell, marking his 16th season in the big leagues. His Tigers debut might have aged a record Opening Day crowd, but it seemed to take years off his age.When his fourth-inning error helped fuel a three-run Royals rally, his tenure as a Tigers shortstop felt like it had an autumn wind to it. His game-tying triple in the seventh defied the aging process. By the time his ninth-inning walk-off single earned the Tigers a 4-3 victory, he had gone from a Tigers boo-bird target to a new Opening Day hero.Gonzalez finished with two hits, two RBIs, one error and another diving stop. The Tigers, meanwhile, finished with a dramatic victory to open their season under new manager Brad Ausmus. 
Ausmus came in with a new-look offense, but no one expected that offense to revolve around Gonzalez. Though Victor Martinez's second-inning solo homer gave the Tigers the first lead, Royals starter James Shields largely kept Detroit's offense contained.Shields took a 3-1 lead into the seventh when Austin Jackson, batting fifth in the new batting order, hit a one-out triple that ignited a rally. Aaron Crow replaced Shields after Alex Avila drew a four-pitch walk, but Crow's strikeout on Nick Castellanos skipped past catcher Salvador Perez, allowing Jackson to score.With Avila on first, Gonzalez -- acquired exactly one week ago to replace the injured Jose Iglesias -- hit a gapper to the fence in left-center, allowing Avila to score easily.By the time Gonzalez stepped to the plate again, the Tigers had the winning run at third, and the Royals had the infield in behind Greg Holland following an Avila single and a Castellanos single. Gonzalez slapped a single through the left side, scoring pinch-runner Tyler Collins.Joe Nathan (1-0) earned the win in his Tigers debut following a perfect ninth inning.Jason Beck / MLB.com
Ausmus came in with a new-look offense, but no one expected that offense to revolve around Gonzalez. Though Victor Martinez's second-inning solo homer gave the Tigers the first lead, Royals starter James Shields largely kept Detroit's offense contained.Shields took a 3-1 lead into the seventh when Austin Jackson, batting fifth in the new batting order, hit a one-out triple that ignited a rally. Aaron Crow replaced Shields after Alex Avila drew a four-pitch walk, but Crow's strikeout on Nick Castellanos skipped past catcher Salvador Perez, allowing Jackson to score.With Avila on first, Gonzalez -- acquired exactly one week ago to replace the injured Jose Iglesias -- hit a gapper to the fence in left-center, allowing Avila to score easily.By the time Gonzalez stepped to the plate again, the Tigers had the winning run at third, and the Royals had the infield in behind Greg Holland following an Avila single and a Castellanos single. Gonzalez slapped a single through the left side, scoring pinch-runner Tyler Collins.Joe Nathan (1-0) earned the win in his Tigers debut following a perfect ninth inning.Jason Beck / MLB.com
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
