Victor Martinez is greeted at home plate. (photo/MLB)
Torii Hunter had two hits in a six-run third inning off Jeremy Guthrie, who allowed eight runs, six earned, on ten hits in just 2.2 innings as the Detroit Tigers beat the Royals 9-5 to move within a game of first place.
Justin Verlander gave up just four runs and six hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out four.
Victor Martinez had three hits three hits and an RBI, as Guthrie has given up 14 earned runs in less than seven innings against Detroit in his last two starts.
Eric Hosmer had three hits and Lorenzo Cain hit an inside-the-park home run for Kansas City in the seventh inning.