Nicholas Castellanos had three extra-base hits while scoring a run and driving in another. Victor Martinez had two hits, scored a run and added an RBI, while Leonys Martin had two hits and scored a run.

Jordan Zimmermann (2-0) lasted five innings to pick up the win. Shane Greene survived some shaky fielding by striking out three batters to record his sixth save. Detroit has lost the first two games of the four-game series.

Jason Hammel (0-4) took the loss. Abraham Almonte hit his third homer of the season, while Lucas Duda added two hits and a run scored.

The Tigers had three run-scoring extra-base hits in the opening inning against Hammel. Leonys Martin led off with a single and scored one out later on Castellanos' line-drive double to left. Martinez knocked in Castellanos with a double to center.

With two outs in the inning, John Hicks also doubled to bring home Martinez and make it 3-0.

From that point, the pitchers took control. Castellanos was left stranded after hitting a one-out triple in the third.

The Royals loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth but Zimmermann struck out Mike Moustakas to snuff out the threat.

Almonte ended Kansas City's scoring drought with his two-out homer to left in the sixth.

Detroit squandered a chance to extend the lead in the seventh. With two on and one out, Castellanos struck out on a pitch out of the zone. Hanmel was then removed for left-hander Brian Flynn. A walk loaded the bases but JaCoby Jones swung at the next pitch and fouled out.

Duda led off the ninth with a double. Following a strikeout, Alex Gordon blooped a ball to center that Martin dropped, allowing Duda to score and Gordon to reach second.

Greene struck out Alcides Escobar before Ryan Goins reached on an infield single when second baseman Dixon Machado had trouble with the exchange. Greene then struck out Jon Jay to finish the game.

--Field Level Media