The Royals started a crucial five game set against the Detroit Tigers hoping to cut into the 7.5 game deficit in the AL Central. Prince Fielder homered for the first time in three weeks and Andy Dirks had four hits to lead Detroit to a 4-1 win Thursday night. The Royals trail Detroit by 8.5 games in the division. The Royals are 5.5 behind Oakland in the race for a wild card.
The Royals couldn’t get the big hit off Tigers’ starter Anibal Sanchez. Alex Gordon’s RBI single in the first made it 1-0, but Dirks singled to lead off for Detroit, and Fielder went deep for his 18th homer of the season.
The Royals went 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position.