DETROIT TIGERS BASEBALL

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AP PhotoDetroit's Miguel Cabrera drove in 10 runs during the Tigers' three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Detroit Tigers took care of business on their road trip after the All-Star break, going 5-2 in Baltimore and Kansas City, where they completed a sweep of the Royals on Wednesday.

The next bit of business is a three-game weekend series at Comerica Park with the first-place Chicago White Sox. Detroit trails them by 5 1/2 games, and is only three games behind the second-place Minnesota Twins.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland acknowledged that this weekend's series can have an impact on the stretch run, but didn't want to make too much of it with more than two months remaining in the season.

AP PhotoDetroit starter Armando Galarraga delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Galarraga didn't allow a hit until the seventh inning of the Tigers' 7-1 win.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Detroit Tigers starter Armando Galarraga said Kansas City Royals fans let him know what was going on when he returned to the dugout after all those 1-2-3 innings.

Galarraga said, "After the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, they would shout, 'Hey, you've got a no-hitter!'"

He realized they were trying to jinx him, but he didn't care. There is electricity in the air when a pitcher has a no-hitter, and, in this case, a perfect game, going into the later innings.

AP PhotoDetroit's Placido Polanco watches his solo home run leave the park Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers won the game, 7-1.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kenny Rogers frustrated the Kansas City Royals for six innings Tuesday night, and then reliever Fernando Rodney dominated them.

Rogers got the 7-1 win for the Detroit Tigers, but didn't return after the two-hour, 20-minute rain delay that came while he was warming up in the seventh inning.

Rodney warmed up just before midnight as a small band of enthusiastic fans left from the crowd 22,074 chanted, "Let's go Royals!"

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Todd Jones likes to say he gets the job done with "smoke, mirrors and luck." It's the self-deprecating humor he injects with reporters, realizing he doesn't have the blazing fastball or intimidating out-pitch many closers possess.

But Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland knows how Jones has accumulated 320 career saves to rank 14th all time, set the Detroit record with 235 and has converted 18-of-20 opportunities this season.

AP PhotoDetroit's Miguel Cabrera had five hits and six RBIs in the Tigers' 19-4 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Detroit Tigers became the first team since the 1950 Boston Red Sox to score 19-plus runs in three or more games.

Detroit's 19-4 win Monday night over the Kansas City Royals matched its season-high for runs scored, which had been accomplished twice this season: April 23 against Texas and May 24 against Minnesota.

Those Red Sox of 58 years ago were powered by Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Bobby Doerr, first baseman Walt Dropo and shortstop Vern Stephens. They reached 19 runs four times, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

AP PhotoDetroit's Matt Joyce, right, is congratulated by teammate Carlos Guillen after hitting a three-run home against the Kansas City Royals on Monday. Joyce drove in five of the Tigers' 19 runs.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Zach Miner put it all together Monday night. He didn't over-throw his fastball, had command of all his pitches and experienced a triumphant return to the Tigers.

Miner allowed three singles and one walk in six shutout innings, and Detroit scored its most runs on the road this season in a 19-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.

"I saw him stay within himself and not try to do too much," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "He just pitched."

AP PhotoBrandon Inge played a big role in the Tigers' two wins over the Baltimore Orioles this week.

Who's hot: Starter Justin Verlander has won six straight decisions, and hasn't allowed more than three runs in a game since May 31.

Who's not: Starter Nate Robertson gave up seven runs Saturday night while getting only seven outs, and has lost three of his last four starts.

Play of the week: Brandon Inge's Brooks Robinson-like play for the final out in Sunday's win. Or was it Inge's two-out, two-run homer on a 2-2 count that put Detroit ahead for good in Thursday's win?

AP PhotoDetroit's Justin Verlander acknowledges the Tigers fans and some of the family members he had in the stands in Baltimore on Sunday. Verlander has won six straight decisions.

BALTIMORE -- Justin Verlander blew a kiss to family members in the stands and doffed his cap to the Tigers fans giving him a standing ovation as he exited the mound at Camden Yards. Even some Orioles fans stood and cheered.

Verlander, in Detroit manager Jim Leyland's words, had just finished "an unbelievable, tremendous" performance in a 5-1 win.

On a 96-degree Sunday afternoon, after losing two straight to Baltimore and with the bullpen so thin that starter Armando Galarraga was available, Verlander went 8 2/3 innings, allowed only three hits and one run.

BALTIMORE -- Carlos Guillen arrived in the Tigers' clubhouse before Sunday's game to the hugs and handshakes of teammates.

He said his wife, Amelia, was in stable condition and expected to be released from the hospital Monday, after being admitted Tuesday for surgery to correct bleeding problems connected to the birth two weeks ago of their daughter, Camelia.

"She's doing better," Guillen said. "Tuesday morning, she woke up bleeding, and the doctor sent her to the hospital for surgery to stop the bleeding."

AP PhotoDetroit's Placido Polanco, right, argues Saturday with home plate umpire Brian Runge after being called out on a play at the plate.

BALTIMORE — Talk about frustrating.

Detroit squandered a 6-0 lead, appeared to score the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning, and then lost it in the bottom of the 10th.

Luke Scott's one-out, solo home run off Freddy Dolsi made Baltimore an 11-10 winner over the Tigers here Saturday night.

Placido Polanco hit a two-out double in the 10th, and replays showed he clearly got in under the tag of Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez after Gary Sheffield singled. Polanco signaled safe as he popped out of his slide and on-deck batter Magglio Ordonez signaled safe, but home plate umpire Brian Runge called him out.