Tigers 2, Royals 1
All-Star Justin Verlander rebounded from his first loss since April with another dominant effort and the Detroit Tigers wrapped up the first half with a 2-1 victory over the host Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
Magglio Ordonez and Brennan Boesch each had an RBI single for the Tigers (49-43), who enter the break one-half game ahead of Cleveland (47-42) in the American League Central.
Verlander (12-4) allowed just an unearned run and six hits in 7 2/3 innings while bouncing back from his first loss since April 27.
All-Star closer Jose Valverde survived a shaky ninth for his 24th save in as many chances. Rookie Eric Hosmer led off the ninth with a double, but was thrown out at third for the second out of the inning. Valverde then struck out rookie Mike Moustakas to end it.
Verlander outdueled Jeff Francis (3-10), who allowed two runs and four hits in six innings.
Verlander’s last pitch – his 121st of the day - clocked out at 99 miles per hour. He departed after Kansas City scored an unearned run in the eighth on a throwing error by third baseman Brandon Inge. Joaquin Benoit struck out Billy Butler to end the threat.