Royals beat Tigers 11-8

Verlander roughed up as K.C. pulls to within half game of AL Central leaders

Kansas City Royals' Alex Gordon slides safely into home plate as Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila can't handle the throw on a error by pitcher Evan Reed in the seventh inning.

DETROIT — Omar Infante hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning and had an RBI single in a four-run fifth against former teammate Justin Verlander, helping the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers 11-8 tonight.

Kansas City has won a season-high eight straight to pull within a half-game of the AL Central-leading Tigers.

Detroit scored six runs in the ninth inning and pulled within three on J.D. Martinez’s two-out grand slam off Donnie Joseph.

Michael Mariot struck out Austin Jackson looking for the final out.

Jason Vargas (7-2) gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks to win his third straight.

Verlander (6-7) allowed seven earned runs in consecutive starts for the first time in his career, giving up a season-high 12 hits and striking out two over six innings.