Royals 4, Tigers 2: Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs but Alcides Escobar homered and drove in two and Jeremy Guthrie worked six strong innings as host Kansas City edged Detroit.
Cabrera, who is chasing the Triple Crown, has all but locked up the batting title and the RBI race and is just sweating out Texasâ?? Josh Hamilton for the home run crown. The slugger has said he will continue to play even though the Tigers have already clinched the American League Central and the No. 3 spot in the playoffs.
Escobar hit a solo homer off Doug Fister (10-10) in the first inning before Cabreraâ??s two-run single in the third put Detroit on top. Escobar struck again in the fifth, singling in the tying run before Salvador Perezâ??s bases-loaded groundout made it a 3-2 lead.
Guthrie (5-3) was charged with two runs on five hits while striking out three and walking three. Two relievers bridged the gap to Greg Holland, who worked a perfect ninth for his 16th save.
Fister lasted just 79 pitches over 4 1/3 innings as the Tigers try to keep him fresh for the postseason. The right-hander scattered seven hits and three runs.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cabrera is 4-for-11 with a home run and three RBIs against Luis Mendoza, who is scheduled to start for Kansas City in Wednesdayâ??s finale. â? Jeff Francouer belted a solo homer in the eighth for the Royals, his 16th. â? Detroit RHP Max Scherzer was scheduled to start Wednesday but suffered an ankle injury during the teamâ??s celebration after clinching a playoff berth.
