DETROIT (AP) — Michael Fulmer is one of the biggest reasons the Detroit Tigers are still in the mix for a postseason spot.

At the start of the team’s final homestand, the rookie right-hander came through with his sharpest performance in weeks.

Fulmer pitched seven strong innings for his first win in over a month and the Detroit Tigers homered three times in an 8-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night. Justin Upton, Victor Martinez and Cameron Maybin went deep for the Tigers, who won their fifth game in a row to remain in the lead in the race for the AL’s second wild card.

Detroit remained a half-game ahead of Baltimore, which beat Arizona in 12 innings.

“I think there’s a little bit of a sense of urgency now,” Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. “This is our last homestand. This is the last chance at home to try and do something in the standings, and we’re playing against two teams … in Kansas City and Cleveland, we know very well. Maybe I was the only one that felt it, but I felt there was more energy.”

Fulmer (11-7) allowed a run and eight hits, striking out nine with no walks. It was the first victory since Aug. 14 for Fulmer, who emerged around midseason as a Rookie of the Year candidate but is now having to fight off a torrid challenge from Gary Sanchez of the New York Yankees.

Danny Duffy (12-3) allowed six runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out four.

The Tigers jumped ahead right away against Duffy. The Royals made two errors in the first inning, and Upton’s RBI double made it 2-0.

Martinez and Upton each hit solo shots in the third, and Maybin’s two-run homer in the fourth made it 6-0.

Upton has 27 homers on the season, including 14 in his last 29 games.

Kansas City has lost nine of its last 12.

DISPUTED CHALLENGE

Kansas City’s only run off Fulmer came after replay overturned the second out of an apparent double play, which would have ended the top of the sixth. Ausmus complained to the umpires, saying the Royals had waited too long before challenging.

“I said I wanted to protest, which, even going into it, when I said it, I knew instant replay wasn’t protestable,” Ausmus said.

After the review revived the rally, Paulo Orlando hit an RBI single.

ON THE BORDERLINE

Fulmer is the AL’s ERA leader at 2.95 — his 155 2/3 innings are enough to qualify at this point. He’ll need to throw 6 1/3 more to qualify for the title at the end of the season.

The Tigers have taken steps to limit his workload, and this latest start was a positive sign.

“I still feel good, so I guess it’s working,” Fulmer said. “Hopefully I’m able to still pitch beyond the regular season. That’s our goal as a team.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Kansas City C Salvador Perez sat out with what manager Ned Yost described as a very minor knee issue.

Tigers: 2B Ian Kinsler returned to the lineup from a concussion after missing three games. He had a single, a double, two walks and three runs. … SS Jose Iglesias left in the top of the seventh with a bruised right hand. X-rays were negative.

UP NEXT

Royals: Kansas City sends RHP Yordano Ventura (11-11) to the mound for Saturday’s game at Detroit. Ventura is coming off a complete game against the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

Tigers: Detroit starts LHP Daniel Norris (3-2) in the middle game of this series.

— Associated Press —

CLEVELAND (AP) — Carlos Santana’s three-run homer pushed the Cleveland Indians to a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night and nearer to their first AL Central championship since 2007.

Santana’s shot in the sixth inning off Dillon Gee (7-9) snapped a 2-2 tie as the Indians improved to 9-1 against the Royals this season.

Kansas City’s chances of making the postseason took another blow. The defending World Series champions began the night behind six teams in the wild-card chase.

Reliever Dan Otero (5-1) pitched two scoreless innings, Bryan Shaw worked one and Cody Allen pitched a perfect ninth for his 29th save.

Jason Kipnis homered for the Indians, who can wrap up a postseason berth this weekend against the Chicago White Sox.

Alcides Escobar hit a two-run homer for the Royals.

Santana, who hit an RBI double in the first, has been on a tear the past two days.

Gee hit Kipnis to start the sixth and Francisco Lindor walked. One out later, Santana drove his 34th homer into the right-field seats. After he crossed home plate, Santana pointed at NBA free agent swingman J.R. Smith, who helped the Cavaliers win the NBA title this year and end Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought.

Santana went 7 for 12 with five RBI in the Indians’ series sweep.

With Cleveland starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar dealing with injuries and likely out for the playoffs, Mike Clevinger could hold a pivotal role for the Indians in October. The rookie showed poise in working out of potential trouble as the Royals put the leadoff man on in three straight innings.

It was a solid postseason audition for Clevinger, who allowed four hits in five innings before giving way to Cleveland’s solid bullpen.

The Indians jumped on Jason Vargas for two runs in the first.

Kipnis made it 1-0 with his 23rd homer. Once he was back in the dugout, the second baseman was carried through a lineup of welcoming teammates by catcher Chris Gimenez and outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall, a celebratory ride that has become a staple this season.

Santana fouled a ball off his left foot and received a visit from manager Terry Francona and a trainer before ripping a two-out RBI double to center.

Escobar’s shot to center tied it 2-2 in the second. It was Escobar’s sixth homer in his last 149 at-bats, quite a power surge for the shortstop who had homered just once in his previous 600 at-bats.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (inflammation in left wrist) hasn’t played since Sept. 9 and could miss the rest of the season.

Indians: C Yan Gomes, who is a longshot to play in the postseason after breaking his right hand during a minor league rehab appearance, threw to the bases before batting practice. The workout wasn’t planned, but Gomes was feeling good after making significant progress in the past few days.

“In all fairness to Yan, he shouldn’t really have any chance to play,” Francona said. “I think that to be fair, if there’s a 1 percent chance, my guess is he’ll probably be the one.”

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (12-2) will match a career high by making his 25th start this season as Kansas City begins a three-game set in Detroit. With a win, Duffy will have the most wins by a Royals left-hander since Charlie Leibrandt won 13 in 1988.

Indians: RHP Trevor Bauer starts the series opener against the Chicago White Sox. He’s 3-2 with a 3.91 ERA in nine career starts against them.

— Associated Press —

CLEVELAND (AP) — Corey Kluber allowed two runs and struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings, and the Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Wednesday night, eliminating the reigning World Series champions from the AL Central race.

The Indians, who led Detroit by seven games in the division going into Wednesday, reduced their magic number for clinching the Central to five.

Carlos Santana was 4 for 5 with an RBI single in the eighth. Jose Ramirez drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth with his third double of the game.

Kluber (18-9) matched his career high in wins and is 10-1 in his last 14 starts, strengthening his case to win his second AL Cy Young Award in three years.

Cody Allen allowed Salvador Perez’s leadoff homer in the ninth, but recorded his 28th save in 31 opportunities. Catcher Roberto Perez threw out pinch-runner Terrance Gore trying to steal second for the first out and Allen retired the final two batters.

Ian Kennedy (11-10) allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings and lost for the first time since July 25.

The Royals reached the World Series in each of the last two years and defeated the Mets in five games to win their first title since 1985 last season.

Kansas City was favored to repeat as division champions, but dealt with injuries to key players all season. Perez, the Royals’ All-Star catcher, third baseman Mike Moustakas, left fielder Alex Gordon, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and closer Wade Davis all missed significant time.

The Royals haven’t been in first place since June 15 after they swept a three-game series from the Indians that moved the teams into a tie. Kansas City is 42-45 since and has fallen to third place.

Lonnie Chisenhall’s RBI single put Cleveland ahead in the second. Run-scoring singles by Kendrys Morales and Perez gave Kansas City the lead in the third when the Royals strung together four straight two-out hits.

Santana doubled to start the fifth and scored the tying run on Jason Kipnis’ double. Ramirez’s double to center broke the tie.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Indians: RHP Carlos Carrasco (broken right hand) has been fitted with a soft cast. He was struck by Ian Kinsler’s line drive Saturday.

UP NEXT

Royals: LHP Jason Vargas returned from Tommy John surgery and pitched three innings Saturday against the White Sox — his first appearance since July 21, 2015 — allowing one run.

Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger, who will be in the rotation down the stretch, starts the series finale. The rookie is 2-1 with a 3.52 ERA in seven games, including four starts, at Progressive Field.

— Associated Press —

CLEVELAND (AP) — Pinch-hitter Brandon Guyer singled in a run with two outs in the ninth inning, helping the Cleveland Indians move closer to an AL Central title with a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Guyer’s hit off Joakim Soria landed just fair in the right-field corner and scored Coco Crisp. Guyer was the third pinch-hitter of the inning used by manager Terry Francona.

Cleveland led Detroit by seven games in the division entering Tuesday. The Indians haven’t won the AL Central since 2007.

Brian Flynn (1-2) walked Jose Ramirez to start the ninth, then fumbled a bunt by Crisp, batting for Lonnie Chisenhall, down the first-base line for an error.

Catcher Salvador Perez threw Ramirez out at third on Abraham Almonte’s sacrifice attempt. Rajai Davis, batting for Tyler Naquin, hit a hard ground ball that deflected off Soria’s foot and rolled to first baseman Eric Hosmer for the out.

Guyer then delivered with the winner that fell in despite a sliding effort by right fielder Paulo Orlando.

The Royals, the reigning World Series champions, will be eliminated from contention in the division if they lose to Cleveland on Wednesday night.

Kansas City advanced a runner to third with one out in the eighth, but Andrew Miller (9-1) struck out pinch-hitter Christian Colon and Whit Merrifield before retiring the side in order in the ninth.

Carlos Santana led off the third with his 33rd home run, a drive deep into the lower deck in right field. Alex Gordon’s RBI single tied the game in the fifth.

Indians starter Josh Tomlin allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings. The right-hander held Kansas City to five hits, struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.

Edinson Volquez allowed Santana’s homer but held the Indians in check over 6 2/3 innings. He gave up four hits, struck out five and walked three.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: OF Lorenzo Cain (left wrist inflammation), who last played on Sept. 9 at the White Sox, is traveling with the team.

Indians: Pitching coach Mickey Callaway said there’s a “small chance” Danny Salazar (strained forearm) will be available in the bullpen if Cleveland makes the playoffs. Salazar hasn’t pitched since Sept. 9 but played catch at 60 feet Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy is unbeaten in his last 10 starts, going 5-0 with a 2.14 ERA. His last road loss occurred July 1 at Philadelphia.

Indians: RHP Corey Kluber seeks his career high-tying 18th victory. He is 9-5 with a 3.27 ERA in 15 home starts this season.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Yordano Ventura kept his pitch count down, which enabled him to go nine innings for the first time in the majors.

Ventura picked up his first complete-game victory, Kendrys Morales hit a three-run homer and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Chicago White Sox 8-3 Monday.

The Royals have won three straight, keeping their faint playoff hopes flickering with 12 games remaining. The Royals went 14-5 against the White Sox this year.

“My goal today was try to get as many outs as I can as quick as I can and go deep in the game and that’s what I did today,” Ventura said with catching coach Pedro Grifol as his translator. “I’m happy with it.”

Ventura (11-11) gave up nine hits, struck out five and walked one. His only other complete game in the majors was a 3-2 loss July 28 at Texas.

“He was outstanding,” Royals catcher Drew Butera said. “He was efficient with his pitches. He had great movement, great life. He was really good.”

Ventura had allowed 10 runs, 17 hits and six walks in 11 1/3 innings in losing his previous two starts. He threw only 16 pitches in a 10-batter span to end the fifth and into the seventh.

“He did a phenomenal job of managing his pitch-count,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He put himself in a position with a five-run lead to have a complete-game. He got through eight with 92 pitches. He just pitched a great game.”

Morales homered off Carlos Rodon (7-10) in a four-run fifth. Morales homered in back-to-back games, bringing his total to 29. The last Royal to hit 30 home runs in a season was Jermaine Dye, with 33 in 2000.

Paulo Orlando and Alcides Escobar homered in the second for the Royals. Eric Hosmer drove in two runs with a pair of singles, giving him 97 RBI.

Billy Burns had three hits, was hit by a pitch, stole a base and scored two runs.

“They’re a good ballclub,” Rodon said. “Guys that have been in the game for a while and just understand that, make me throw pitches and get deep in the count, and they did a really good job of that. They swing the bat well, but our guys swung the bat well, too. Some hard balls hit and some home runs, and that’s baseball.”

Jose Abreu and Carlos Sanchez hit solo home runs for the White Sox. Todd Frazier added an RBI single and had two hits off Ventura.

“He’s throwing 97, 98 (mile per hour),” Frazier said late in the game. “That’s tough to pick up, tough to lay off, too, as well, because it looks like a strike and comes off. He had good command, basically.”

DUAL EJECTIONS

Plate umpire Toby Basner ejected Escobar in the fifth for arguing balls and strikes. When Yost interceded, Basner thumbed him, too.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: INF Tyler Saladino (sore left calf) was out of the lineup for the third consecutive game. “We could play him, but I think an extra day would be best for him,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura. … DH Justin Morneau (neck discomfort) returned to the lineup after missing the previous six games.

UP NEXT

White Sox: RHP James Shields, who is 0-5 with a 9.37 ERA in his past nine starts, will start Tuesday at Philadelphia. RHP Jake Thompson will start for the Phillies.

Royals: RHP Edinson Volquez, who gave up nine runs on seven hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings in a Thursday loss to Oakland, will start the series opener at Cleveland. The Indians will counter with RHP Josh Tomlin.

— Associated Press —

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kendrys Morales started the season scuffling to get his average above .200. He’s finishing up a lot better.

Morales homered for his 1,000th career hit and drove in four runs, Danny Duffy pitched effectively into the eighth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 10-3 Sunday.

“First and foremost, I didn’t even know I had 999 hits,” Morales said with catching coach Pedro Grifol as his translator.

Morales was hitting .191 on June 5, but in his past 20 games he is hitting .359 with a .705 slugging percentage, bringing his season total to .261 with 38 home runs and 85 RBI.

“Obviously, I didn’t have a good start, but the season is a very long season,” Morales said. “I was able to get back on track and finish strong.”

Duffy (12-2) picked up his first victory since Aug. 21. He struck out eight and gave up three runs.

“Again, it sounds boring, but it’s a simple mindset,” Duffy said. “I trust my fastball and everything else plays off of it. That’s probably why I don’t try to nibble with it.”

Morales homered in the sixth with Paulo Orlando aboard. Orlando reached base four times — two doubles, a walk and hit by pitch — and scored three runs.

Morales contributed a RBI single in the first and doubled home Eric Hosmer in the fourth.

Hosmer drove in three runs, giving him a career-best 95 RBI. Whit Merrifield had three hits and two RBI.

Alex Gordon ended an 0-for-21 drought with his 16th home run, which splashed into the upper right-field fountain.

Todd Frazier hit his 37th homer, a White Sox record for a third baseman.

Jose Quintana (12-11) was removed after four innings. He faced 24 batters, giving up 10 hits and three walks.

“It wasn’t the normal stuff, the stuff you expect from him,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “They hit him pretty hard, too. He just wasn’t locating the way he usually does. It was just an off day for him. We didn’t do much offensively against Duffy. He was throwing it pretty good. But, you know, just a rare one for Q.”

Quintana’s career record against the Royals dropped to 1-9.

DOUBLE CHALLENGE

The third inning included a 4-minute, 25-second review that included both managers making a challenge on the same play. Ned Yost of the Royals claimed shortstop Tim Anderson did not touch second base before throwing to first on Hosmer’s grounder. White Sox manager Robin Ventura challenged that Orlando violated the slide rule. After the review, the call on the field was overturned with Orlando ruled safe and the slide was legal.

“We felt like when you slide and you can’t reach the bag that’s enough for me to feel like it’s not a real slide or a bona fide slide,” Ventura said. “Again, that stuff is written in a way that it could go either way.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: INF Tyler Saladino was out for the second straight game with a left calf issue. “He’s getting better,” Ventura said. “There’s nothing mechanically wrong in there. He’s just sore and you just have to treat it.” … DH Justin Morneau missed his sixth straight game with neck discomfort.

UP NEXT

White Sox: LHP Carlos Rodon, who is 5-1 with a 2.77 ERA in his past eight starts, will start the series finale.

Royals: RHP Yordano Ventura has allowed at least 11 baserunners in each of his past three starts with 12 walks and 23 hits.

— Associated Press —