Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Phil Coke retired Mike Moustakas with two runners on and two outs in the seventh inning to help hold a lead and give former Mizzou standout Max Scherzer his 10th win over the season as Detroit beat the Royals 3-1 Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Scherzer is proving that he not only can pitch, but pitch in the tight situations as he joined his teammate Justin Verlander for double digit wins before the All-Star break.

“I want the ball. In that situation, I still had plenty in the tank. I understand why he made the move, he wanted the lefty-lefty matchup, but of course I want the ball. It is what it is, I want the ball, and really, that’s the way it’s got to be. If I don’t want the ball in that situation then something’s wrong.” Scherzer had only thrown 88 pitches on the night. The Royals only run came in the fifth after Eric Hosmer scored on a groundout after a lead off double.

Royals rookie Danny Duffy pitched great too. His one mistake was a two run homer to Ryan Raburn in the second inning. He gave up just those two runs on four hits over six stellar innings while striking out six.