Tigers rout Royals, extend AL Central lead
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Ian Kinsler homered and drove in three runs, and Justin Verlander pitched into the eighth inning in Detroit's 10-1 rout of the Kansas City Royals in a key AL Central showdown.
Eugenio Suarez knocked in two runs for the Tigers, who opened a 1 1/2-game lead on the Royals atop the division. J.D. Martinez continued to torch the Royals, as he went 3-for-4 with a run scored.
Verlander (14-12) scattered seven hits and gave up a run over 7 1/3 innings in Detroit's fifth victory in seven games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"He certainly seemed like he was up for this game tonight. It was one of the best games he's thrown all year," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.
Jason Vargas (11-10) threw 30 pitches in the first inning and was charged with nine hits and five runs over 3 1/3 frames.
Jayson Nix drove in the lone run for the Royals in the opener of this three- game set.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Kansas City is in second place in the wild card standings, a half-game behind Oakland and a half-game in front of Seattle.
Kinsler singled to start the game, and with one out Miguel Cabrera doubled to left field off the glove of Alex Gordon for a 1-0 lead.
"The ball was probably knuckling because it was hit so hard," Royals manger Ned Yost said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Victor Martinez followed with an RBI single to right-center. J.D. Martinez then singled, and with two down Suarez's base hit to left made it 3-0.
Torii Hunter doubled to right-center to score Rajai Davis in the second, and Verlander escaped a 2nd-and-3rd jam in the bottom portion.
Kinsler doubled in a run in the fourth before the Tigers busted it open by scoring five times the next inning. Kinsler highlighted the frame with a two- run homer to left.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Nix's sacrifice fly to left scored Johnny Giavotella in the eighth.
Game Notes
The Tigers are 7-1 at Kauffman Stadium this year ... Detroit catcher Alex Avila missed the game due to concussion-like symptoms ... In 14 games this season, J.D. Martinez is hitting .458 with 11 runs scored ... Verlander is 11-5 in his career at Kauffman Stadium.