Royals 3, Tigers 0
DETROIT -- Eric Hosmer hit a home run in each game of Friday's doubleheader and James Shields checked Detroit on three hits in seven innings to help the Kansas City Royals sweep the Detroit Tigers with a 3-0 victory in the nightcap after a 2-1 win in the opener.
Shields (8-8) is 4-1 in his last five starts to fuel a surge that has the Royals within 6 1/2 games of the first-place Tigers in the American League Central.
Detroit managed just six hits in the doubleheader.
Luke Hochevar pitched the eighth and Greg Holland picked up his second save of the day and 34th of the season after getting the last three outs.
The Royals took a 3-0 lead with an unearned run in the seventh. Chris Getz singled to left, took third on a throwing error by reliever Jeremy Bonderman on a pickoff attempt and raced home on Jamey Carroll's sacrifice fly to left.
Hosmer's second-game home run came with two outs and after Carroll had walked on a 3-2 pitch. Hosmer picked on a 1-1 slurve and drilled it deep to right for his 14th home run of the season.
Left-hander Jose Alvarez (1-3) was otherwise strong, allowing five hits in 5 2/3 innings with three walks and five strikeouts. He was sent back to the minors after the game.
Detroit wasted a two-out double from Miguel Cabrera in the first. Leadoff hitter Austin Jackson was caught stealing after drawing a leadoff walk.
Shields got Prince Fielder on a fly to shallow center with runners on second and third and one out in the third. He also stranded two runners in the second.
NOTES: Royals reserve C Brett Hayes, designated for assignment on Aug. 11, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha. He appeared in three games for Kansas City, going 3-for-11. ... Tigers manager Jim Leyland wanted to avoid using power pitcher RHP Bruce Rondon in either game. The rookie had pitched three of the previous four days. ... Hosmer has hit 14 home runs this season after launching one in each game. But 13 of those have come since June 1. "He's got a shorter stroke now," manager Ned Yost said. "Plus more confidence." ... IF Ramon Santiago's pinch-home run in the eighth inning of Friday's first game was the first of his career.
