DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers tied the Chicago White Sox for first place in the A.L. Central on Tuesday night, after a 2-0 win over the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park.
Detroit (82-72, 48-31 home) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, after RBI singles by Prince Fielder and Delmon Young.
Starter Anibal Sanchez took advantage of the early lead by turning in one dynamite performance. Sanchez (9-13, 3.95 ERA) tossed a three-hit shutout, striking out 10 and walking one.
Kansas City (70-84, 34-42 away) went 0-2 with runners in scoring position.
Royals lefty Bruce Chen kept his team within striking distance most of the night. Chen (11-13, 5.13 ERA) surrendered two runs on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings, fanning five and walking three.
Jeremy Guthrie (4-3, 3.00 ERA) takes the hill against Tigers starter Rick Porcello (9-12, 4.57 ERA) for game three on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.