photo by: Associated Press

Kansas City Royals' Maikel Franco is greeted at home plate after his three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Monday, July 27, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

DETROIT (AP) — Maikel Franco hit two of Kansas City’s six home runs, and the Royals pounded the Tigers 14-6 on Monday night, spoiling Detroit’s fan-free home opener.

Whit Merrifield had three hits and three RBIs, finishing a triple shy of the cycle on a night when the Royals rallied from an early 5-1 deficit. Foster Griffin (1-0) won in relief, but he also had to leave his major league debut with a left forearm strain.

“Day One, this happens. Been healthy my whole career,” Griffin said. “So it wasn’t easy.”

Detroit’s Michael Fulmer allowed three homers in his first start back from Tommy John surgery. The Tigers didn’t plan on a long outing from the right-hander, and he allowed four runs and five hits in 2 2/3 innings after missing the whole 2019 season.

“Not the Cinderella comeback story I was hoping for, but just a little rusty,” Fulmer said. “Not going to make any excuses, I feel ready and told everybody I was ready. I need to do better job next time.”

Salvador Perez, Jorge Soler and Brett Phillips also homered for Kansas City. JaCoby Jones and Victor Reyes went deep for Detroit.

Kansas City took the lead for good with a six-run fourth. Kyle Funkhouser (0-1), making his big league debut in relief of Fulmer, allowed a two-run single by Ryan O’Hearn that made it 7-5.

“Just so proud of this group,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “You give up a five-spot, really easy for a club to roll over right there. These guys, you could tell they were into it the whole time and didn’t get discouraged at all.”

Beau Burrows then came on to make his debut, and Franco greeted him with a three-run homer to left. Reyes, the left fielder, fell down when he reached the fence as the ball sailed over.

Franco also homered to open the scoring in the second, but the Tigers answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning, including Jones’ three-run shot. Merrifield and Perez homered in Kansas City’s three-run third.

Royals starter Mike Montgomery allowed three earned runs and five hits in two innings.

The ballpark was mostly empty because of the coronavirus pandemic, although there were some folks who may have had a decent view on the deck of the Detroit Athletic Club high beyond center field. It was certainly a warmer home opener than Detroit is used to, and it was the first time the Tigers played their home opener at night since 1980.

The Tigers honored Hall of Famer Al Kaline before the game with a video tribute and by raising a flag with his last name on it. Kaline died in April.