Mikie Mahtook: Detroit Tigers outfielder has home run robbed day after outfield blunder

Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Detroit Tigers outfielder Mikie Mahtook continued a brutal two-day stretch by having a home run robbed against the Kansas City Royals.

The play happened Monday in the Tigers' 7-6 loss to the Royals at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Mahtook stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning to face Royals righty Jakob Junis. The outfielder took a 91.6 mph four-seam fastball for a ball before working the count to 2-1. He took Junis' fourth offering, a 79.8 mph slider, deep to left field.

Unfortunately for Mahtook, Royals left fielder Alex Gordon didn't feel like watching a 3-run homer clear the fence. Gordon ran to the warning track and rested his right hand on the outfield wall, waiting for the ball to land. He timed his leap perfectly, reaching high above the fence with his glove hand to secure the Royals' 5-0 lead.

"I just tried to get back to the fence right away and get in a good position, and luckily, it didn't get too far over," Gordon told MLB.com. "I just timed my jump perfectly, and I was able to make a good catch."

The Tigers would add three runs in the fifth frame and three more runs in the ninth inning, but it was not enough to halt a five-game losing skid.

Mahtook, 27, is hitting .275 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI this season. On Sunday he suffered an even worse fate.

In that loss, Indians star Jose Ramirez ripped a ball into left field. Mahtook watched the laser drill the yellow line at the top of the outfield fence. Mahtook jumped up and attempted a barehanded stab at the ball with his right hand. But instead of grabbing it, he had the ball bounce off of his hand and over the fence for a home run.

"I made my decision once it hit the first time that I was going to try to bat it in. Unfortunately it bounced towards me," Mahtook told MLive.com.

The American League Central foes resume the three-game series at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday in Detroit. Cleveland (81-56) currently has a 10 game lead in the division, ahead of the second place Minnesota Twins.