Inge walk-off helps Washburn shine for Tigers

Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge is shown at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts August 12, 2009.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Brandon Inge hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Detroit Tigers a 1-0 win in a tight pitching duel against the Kansas City Royals Friday.

The Tigers third baseman drove a 2-1 pitch to left field off reliever Roman Colon to support pitcher Jarrod Washburn who delivered his finest performance in three starts since being acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on July 31.

"Now I feel more like a part of this team," Washburn told reporters. "It's a great feeling, because the Tigers didn't trade for the guy who went out and pitched like I did my first two starts.

"I always knew Detroit was a great baseball town, but tonight I felt a part of it."

Washburn tossed eight scoreless innings to match the effort of Kansas City ace Zack Greinke, who shut out Detroit over seven innings while striking out six batters.

Left-hander Washburn had allowed 11 runs in two previous starts with his new team but surrendered just three hits to help the American League Central-leading Tigers (61-54) win their second straight game.

Curtis Granderson was 2-for-3 for the Tigers and was the only player to record multiple hits.

The Royals, last place in the AL Central, had runners on first and third in the eighth but could not capitalize, leaving them 45-70 for the year.

The 25-year-old Greinke, an early favorite for the AL Cy Young award before losing four straight decisions, remained the struggling Royals' bright light, tossing 106 pitches before handing the ball to Colon, who took the loss.

"That was a thrilling game I'll tell you -- unless you come to see offense," said Detroit manager Jim Leyland.

"You had everything -- great pitching, great defense and a home run at the end, which everyone likes. It was a really clean game."

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Ian Ransom)