The Detroit Tigers opened their three-game series in Kansas City on a sour note Friday night, letting a 3-1 lead slip away in a heartbreaking loss to the Royals. For a team that prides itself on mental toughness, this one stung.

Manager AJ Hinch didn't mince words about the challenges his squad is facing right now. "We're hearing it from everywhere," Hinch said. "All the issues, all the injuries, all the change that's going on around our team. … This is a good team. We're a little battered right now, a little beat up, and we're having to answer a lot of questions about the frustrating side of this sport."

The Tigers looked to be in control heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. But baseball has a way of humbling even the sharpest teams. Reliever Kyle Finnegan, who had been nearly untouchable this season with just one run allowed over 17.2 innings, suddenly found himself in the eye of the storm. A double from Michael Massey and an RBI single from Kyle Isbel cut the lead to 3-2. Isbel's hit scooted past right-fielder Wenceel Perez and rolled to the track, allowing Isbel to reach third. Maikel Garcia followed with a single to tie the game.

Finnegan walked Bobby Witt Jr. before being lifted for lefty Brant Hurter, who managed to escape the inning with a sharp 3-6-1 double play. But the damage was done. In the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitter Nick Loftin doubled off Hurter, and Isbel delivered again with a soft single through the left side, walking it off for Kansas City.

It was a tough end to an otherwise promising night, highlighted by another strong outing from Keider Montero. The right-hander pounded the strike zone and kept Royals hitters off balance, working efficiently through six innings on just 71 pitches. He allowed three hits and one run — a second-inning double by Jac Caglianone that scored on an Isaac Collins single. After that, Montero retired 12 straight batters before Witt doubled with two outs.

For a Tigers team already dealing with injuries and roster shuffling, these are the moments that test a club's character. As Hinch put it, "Guys have to come out confident and ready to play. This is the challenge. It's our time to be tested."

The series continues Saturday, and Detroit will need to shake off this loss quickly if they want to keep pace in the division.