Tigers 3 - 4 Royals
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Tigers aim for sweep of Royals

Aug 7, 2011 - 2:58 PM

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(Sports Network) - The AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers will try to complete a three-game sweep of Kansas City when the two clubs clash this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Justin Verlander is always a tough act to follow, but Max Scherzer will try his best when he takes the hill for the Tigers this afternoon. The right- hander has struggled over his last few starts, posting just one victory in four tries.

The last time he was in action, the hard-throwing righty held Texas to just two runs in six innings.

Even though Scherzer is 6-3 on the road this season, he has struggled outside of Detroit, posting a 5.03 earned run average.

This will be the second start for Scherzer against KC this season. Earlier this year the right-hander held the Royals to just one run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. Overall in seven starts against Kansas City, Scherzer is 4-2 with a strong 2.34 ERA.

The Royals will turn to Bruce Chen, who is winless in his last four starts. The last time Chen was on the hill he did not make it through five innings because he was unable to find the strike zone. In 4 2/3 innings the Panamanian native allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks.

Earlier this season Chen tossed six shutout innings against Detroit, scattering three hits, while striking out seven batters. It was one of the better showings for Chen against Detroit, and in 10 career starts the right- hander is just 3-3 with a terrible 6.00 earned run average.

Yesterday, Victor Martinez went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Justin Verlander recorded his 16th win of the season, as the Tigers held off the Royals, 4-3.

The news was not all good for Martinez, who left the game in the top of the eighth with a left knee sprain. Martinez was trying to score on Andy Dirks' grounder to second base. The throw home badly beat Martinez, who tried to jump around Royals catcher Brayan Pena's tag. Martinez's left knee appeared to lock up and he ended up falling to the ground. He will undergo further evaluation on Sunday.

Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera had an RBI apiece for the Tigers, who have won two in a row and five of six overall. Detroit is four games ahead of Cleveland for the Central lead.

Verlander (16-5) gave up three runs on five hits over seven innings. He struck out eight and walked two. Verlander improved to 13-2 lifetime against Kansas City.

The race for the American League Cy Young just got closer, as Verlander and CC Sabathia of the Yankees both have 16 wins to lead the majors.

Jeff Francoeur hit a solo homer for the Royals, who have lost two in a row since a two-game winning streak. Pena knocked in a run.

Danny Duffy (3-5) allowed three runs on five hits over five frames to suffer the loss. He struck out four and walked three.

The Tigers have won eight of 11 over the Royals this year and have won seven of their past nine trips to Kansas City.






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