Justin Verlander of Detroit bounced back against the Royals after they pounded him in Kansas City last month. Verlander allowed two runs and nine hits striking out eight without a walk in eight innings as the Royals lost 6-2. Verlander threw 114 pitches, 89 for strikes.
Alex Gordon hit a homer. Gordon’s 12th home run in the fourth cut the lead to 2-1, and the Royals put runners on first and third with one out in the fifth, but couldn’t capitalize.
Prince Fielder hit a solo homer for Detroit in the second, and Alex Avila added an RBI double later in the inning of Luke Hochevar, who gave up six runs, five earned in 7.1 innings
