KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – One of the biggest games at Kauffman Stadium in decades wound up being a one-sided rout.
Ian Kinsler hit a two-run homer, everyone in the Detroit starting lineup had a hit by the fourth inning and the Tigers pounded Jason Vargas and the second-place Kansas City Royals 10-1 on Friday night to add another game to their AL Central lead.
Justin Verlander (14-12) had all the support he needed by the end of the first inning, when the Tigers had shelled Vargas (11-10) for three runs on five hits. Detroit tacked on a run in the second, another in the fourth and then broke things open with a five-run fifth.
The Tigers (85-68), who now lead the division by 1 1/2 games, have forged their advantage by dominating head-to-head matchups. They are 12-5 against the Royals his season.
Lost amid the offensive onslaught was a fine performance by Verlander, who had struggled his last three times out. The former Cy Young winner allowed one run on seven hits in 7 1-3 innings.