James Shields threw seven shutout innings Friday in helping Kansas City finish off a doubleheader sweep with a 3-0 win over Detroit.

The games were the second and third of a five-game series and the day’s results allowed the Royals to move within 5 1/2 games of the division-leading Tigers in the American League Central. Kansas City won the opener 2-1.

Shields (8-8) gave up three hits and walked four to win for the fourth time in five starts. Luke Hochevar worked a perfect eighth inning and Greg Holland worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to collect his 34th save.

Eric Hosmer gave the Royals the lead in the third with a two-run homer and the other Kansas City run came in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Jamey Carroll.

Jose Alvarez (1-3) was charged with the loss after giving up two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.