KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Rick Porcello outdueled James Shields and the Detroit Tigers won their fifth in a row, beating the Kansas City Royals 5-1 Saturday night.

Porcello (12-5) raised his career record against Kansas City to 8-3 while yielding six hits and one run through seven innings.

Alex Avila drove in three runs, putting the Tigers in position to go for a four-game sweep on Sunday in what had been billed as an AL Central showdown.

The Royals have lost six of their last eight. They are 0-6 at home against Detroit this year.

Shields (9-5) went seven innings and allowed two runs.