Jason Vargas combined with three relievers on a six-hitter as the Royals trimmed the Tigers 2-1 at Kauffman Stadium.
Vargas allowed five hits and one run over six innings to run his record to 18-and-10. Mike Minor earned his third save. Eric Hosmer doubled home the tying run in the fourth and Whit Merrifield's sac-fly in the fifth put KC ahead.
The Royals turned five double plays, but were eliminated from playoff contention when the Twins won.
Anibal Sanchez was charged with the loss after giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out six in six innings.
Ian Kinsler singled in Detroit's lone run in the third. Anibal Sanchez pitched six innings of two-run ball to take the tough-luck loss. Detroit has lost eight in-a-row.
Tonight, Jordan Zimmermann will go to the mound for the Tigers and Jason Hammel gets the start for the Royals.