Pro Sports

Vargas wins 18th as Royals top Tigers 2-1

Posted September 26, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jason Vargas delivers to a Detroit Tigers batter during the first inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Jason Vargas tied for the major league lead with his 18th victory, lifting the Kansas City Royals over the struggling Detroit Tigers 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Vargas (18-10) went six innings to match Cleveland's Corey Kluber and the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw for most wins in the majors. He gave up a run and five hits, inducing groundball double plays in the second, fourth and fifth innings.

In his first two starts against Detroit, Vargas was 0-2 while allowing 13 runs, including four home runs, in 4 2/3 innings. Vargas had Tommy John surgery in 2015 and only made three starts last year, but he's now the first Royals pitcher to win 18 games since Kevin Appier in 1993.

The Tigers have lost eight straight and dropped to 4-21 in September.

Ian Kinsler's two-out single in the third scored JaCoby Jones for Detroit's run.

Eric Hosmer's two-out double in the fourth brought home Whit Merrifield, who began the inning with a double. That was Hosmer's 189th hit, a career best. He had 188 in 2013.

Anibal Sanchez (3-6) took the loss, allowing two runs and seven hits while striking out six over six innings. Sanchez is winless in eight starts since an Aug. 1 victory over the New York Yankees.

Mike Minor worked the ninth for his third save in five chances.

The Royals turned five double plays.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera (two herniated discs) is seeking a second opinion. It is undetermined whether he will play in the final five games of the season. ... RHP Jeff Ferrell (concussion) threw a bullpen session. He has yet to be cleared. ... OF Tyler Collins (intercostal strain) was unavailable to play. His last game was Friday. ... OF Mikie Mahtook (left groin pull) is finished for the season.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann is 0-2 with an 8.00 ERA in two September starts.

Royals: RHP Jason Hammel is 2-3 with an 8.64 ERA in five starts this month and has failed to finish the fourth inning in two of his past three starts.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas (8) and first baseman Brandon Moss, back, celebrate following a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. The Royals defeated the Tigers 2-1. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) The Associated Press

Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) forces out Detroit Tigers' John Hicks (55) while turning a double play during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Detroit Tigers' Efren Navarro grounded into the double play and was out at first base. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) The Associated Press

Kansas City Royals designated hitter Eric Hosmer hits an RBI double off Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) The Associated Press

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jason Vargas (51) talks with catcher Salvador Perez, right, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) The Associated Press

Detroit Tigers' JaCoby Jones, left, is congratulated by manager Brad Ausmus after scoring on a single by teammate Ian Kinsler during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) The Associated Press

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez delivers to a Kansas City Royals batter during the first inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) The Associated Press

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