KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 23 (UPI) -- Justin Verlander recorded his first career shutout in leading the Detroit Tigers to an 8-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals, who have lost 10 consecutive games and have the worst record in Major League Baseball, managed five hits Monday off Verlander (6-3). Detroit, which has the best record in MLB after posting its 10th victory in 11 games, also shut out Cincinnati in its previous game and has nine shutouts on the season.
Verlander won his third consecutive decision in pitching the 5-hitter. He walked one and struck out seven.
Brandon Inge had a 2-run home run and Curtis Granderson a 3-run homer in the Tigers' 5-run second inning to beat Kansas City starter Jeremy Affeldt (2-4). It was Inge's 10th homer of the year while Granderson has eight.
Detroit added three runs in the fifth with Magglio Ordonez singling two runs and scoring on a Craig Monroe base hit.
