Brad Ausmus apologizes for 'I beat my wife' quip

Brad Ausmus and the Tigers have lost the AL Central lead and 20 of their last 29 games. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Following the Tigers' loss to the Royals on Wednesday afternoon, Detroit manager Brad Ausmus was asked about his mood when returning home following his team's third straight defeat and 20th in its last 29 games. Ausmus, who has watched the Tigers lose a seven-game lead to the Royals in the AL Central race in his first season as an MLB manager, attempted to lighten the media session with a joke that he quickly regretted.

From James Schmehl of MLive.com:

When asked about his mood when he returns home after a Tigers' loss during their recent slump, Ausmus jokingly quipped: "I beat my wife."

"I'm just kidding," he quickly added before offering up a serious response.

"Luckily, my wife and kids are fantastic," he said. "I do get a little mopey at home, but my wife and kids are good. They've seen me be in a bad mood after a loss. They've been great."

Ausmus quickly offered an apology:

"I didn't want to make light of battered women," Ausmus said. "I didn't mean to make light of it, so I apologize if that offended anyone. Next question. Sorry."

CORCORAN: Reeling Tigers stuck in massive slump

The Tigers had no comment Wednesday afternoon.