Tigers 4, Royals 1
Doug Fister threw six solid innings and Miguel Cabrera hit his 31st home run as visiting Detroit avoided a series sweep.
Andy Dirks also homered for the Tigers, who snapped a three-game losing streak against their American League Central foes. Brayan Pena added a pair of sacrifice flies in the late innings to cap the scoring.
That was more than enough for Fister (8-5) and three relievers. The right-hander allowed a run on six hits and a walk while striking out five to win his second straight start, with Joaquin Benoit finishing the job for his ninth save.
James Shields (4-7) got the loss after giving up three runs and nine hits in seven innings, striking out six with no walks. Miguel Tejada provided all the offense for the hosts with a solo homer in the second to answer Cabrera's first-inning blast.
Dirks took Shields deep with one out in the fifth to snap the 1-1 tie. Fister escaped a jam in the sixth before Pena picked up sacrifice flies in the seventh and ninth innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Royals 2B Chris Getz sat one day after spraining his left knee. He is considered day-to-day. ... Seven of the eight meetings this season have been decided by three runs or less. The last five were one-run affairs. ... Detroit's road trip continues Monday with the first of four at the Chicago White Sox. Kansas City remains at home to open a four-game series with Baltimore.