Max Scherzer tossed seven innings of one-run ball to guide the Detroit Tigers past the Kansas City Royals, 3-2, in the middle contest of a key three-game series.
Scherzer (17-5) gave up seven hits while striking out six for the Tigers, who have won the first two games of this set and sit 2 1/2 games ahead of Kansas City for first place in the AL Central.
Torii Hunter went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for Detroit, which got an RBI apiece from Tyler Collins and Rajai Davis.
Alcides Escobar went 4-for-5 with an RBI for the Royals, who are battling for one of the two wild card spots in the American League. Eric Hosmer drove in a run.
Kansas City starter James Shields (14-8) allowed three runs on six hits while striking out six over 6 2/3 innings.
[SportsNetwork.com]
