DETROIT, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Randall Simon's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning scored Damion Easley with the winning run Saturday as the Detroit Tigers earned a doubleheader split with a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Easley led off the ninth with a double to left field off Royals starter Chris George (4-8) and moved to third on Bobby Higginson's groundout to second. With first base open, the Royals opted to face Simon, who drove an 0-1 pitch to left.
Steve Sparks (14-9) tossed his eighth complete game of the season and his third in his last four starts. He allowed one run and 10 hits while walking one and striking out three.
George allowed two runs and four hits in 8 2/3 innings. The 22-year-old lefthander walked one, struck out one and lost his third straight start. He is 0-3 against the Tigers this season.
