Big Game James Shields came through for the Kansas City Royals, holdi..."/> Big Game James Shields came through for the Kansas City Royals, holdi..."/>

James Shields Stops the Bleeding with Win over Tigers

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Sep 10, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher

Salvador Perez

(13) talks to starting pitcher

James Shields

(33) during the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Big Game James Shields came through for the Kansas City Royals, holding the Tigers scoreless over 7 strong innings in Kansas City’s 3-0 win at Comerica Park on Wednesday night.

The win puts Kansas City 16 games over .500 at 80-64. Kansas City not only avoided the sweep by Detroit, they also reclaimed sole possession of 1st place in the A.L. Central with the win.

On the Mound

James Shields pitched his second dominating game in the row, going 7.0 innings while allowing only 2 hits, 1 walk, and 0 runs with 8 strikeouts.With the win, Shields ran his season record to 14-7.

Shields gave up a single to Ian Kinsler who led off the 1st for Detroit, and then retired 18 straight hitters before giving up a 1-out single to Torii Hunter  and a walk to Miguel Cabrera. Shields, however, retired the last two hitters to end the threat.

Kelvin Herrera entered in the 8th and pitched a clean inning.

Wade Davis again subbed for ailing Greg Holland as the closer by pitching the 9th.

At the Plate

Josh Willingham started off the 4th with an 11-pitch duel before stroking a leadoff single. The Royals followed with 3 more hits to plate their only 2 runs of the game.

Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain picked up the RBI’s in the inning.

The Royals added an important insurance run in the top of the 9th after Cain led off the inning with a triple and scored on Alcides Escobar‘s sacrifice fly.

Cain swung the big bat, going 3 for 4 with 2 singles, a triple, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI.

Eric Hosmer, Josh Willngham, and Salvador Perez all went 2 for 4 with 2 singles.

Overall, the Royals rapped out 10 hits, 1 walk, and 3 runs with only the one extra-base hit by Cain.

This and That

The game was again nationally televised by ESPN. Gee, kind nice getting some love. Amazing what happens when you’re in the middle of the hottest playoff race in MLB.

Al Albuquerque made a spectacular play to spear Salvador Perez’s liner with the bases loaded and no outs in the 8th. Albuquerque was able to catch Alex Gordon off 3rd to complete a rally-killing double play to keep the Royals to a 2-0 lead.

Lorenzo Cain snagged his 25th stolen base in the 7th on a busted hit-and-run. The Royals have 3 players with 25 or more stolen bases for the first time since 1983.

Both Herrera and Wade Davis continued scoreless inning streaks; Herrera hasn’t given up a run in 30.1 innings, while Davis hasn’t surrendered a run in 30.2 innings—which are the 2 longest such streaks in the league.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

James Shields gets obviously gets our nod for his 7 shutout innings while allowing only 2 hits. Shields stepped up big time when his team needed him the most.

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The Tigers

Detroit starter Rick Porcello pitched well enough to win. He lasted 6.2 innings, allowing 7 hits (all singles), 0 walks, and 2 earned runs with 7 strikeouts. Porcello, however, took the loss dropping his record to 15-11.

Up Next

The Royals return from their road trip to take on the Boston Red Sox. Ned Yost will send Liam Hendriks to the mound in place of Danny Duffy (inflamed rotator cuff), against Allen Webster (3-3, 6.47 ERA) for Boston. Game time is 7:10 PM CST at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.