Nori Aoki triples in two runs to help KC get past Detroit (photo/MLB)

Nori Aoki triples in two runs to help KC get past Detroit (photo/MLB)

Nori Aoki hit a two-run triple, and the Royals were able to beat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 to avoid a sweep Kansas City pulled to within 1.5 games of Detroit for the division. The Royals also maintained their position for a wild card with a 1.5 game lead over Seattle.

Aoki’s tiebreaking triple in the fourth scored Omar Infante and Mike Moustakas, making it 4-2 and chasing Rick Porcello from the game.  Alex Gordon added an RBI double in the seventh for Kansas City, snapping an 0-for-14 slump.

Jeremy Guthrie pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the second and was pulled after 81 pitches in the sixth inning, giving up one earned run.
Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland held the Tigers scoreless.