KANSAS CITY -- Rick Porcello capped off a roller coaster last seven days with a spectacular start as the Tigers beat the Royals, 5-1, on Saturday night for their fifth straight win.Porcello held Kansas City to one run in seven innings, while helping Detroit claim the first three games of the series, with a chance for a four-game sweep on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.The Tigers increased their lead the American League Central race by 7 1/2 games, their largest advantage of the season. 
Alex Avila cracked what turned out to be the game-winning RBI single in the fourth, and mashed a two-run home run in the ninth to drive in three of the Tigers' runs. J.D. Martinez's third hit of the game was a solo home run and put the Tigers up 3-1 in the ninth inning before Avila's blast provided a four-run cushion.Porcello's whirlwind last seven days began last Sunday when one of his roughest outings coincided with an individual honor.On the same day the righty allowed seven runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 11-5 loss to the Rays, Porcello was named one of five AL starters in the Final Vote for a spot on the All-Star Game roster. Porcello finished third in voting.Despite the sweltering heat on Saturday, Porcello cruised to his 12th win of the season, while dropping his ERA to 3.39. The Tampa Bay start excluded, Porcello has allowed one run in his last 31 innings.Ian Kinsler and Austin Jackson started the scoring in the third, nearly the exact way they did the previous night in the Tigers' 2-1 win.Jackson smacked a two-out double, then Kinsler singled him home in the next at-bat. On Friday, Jackson led off the game with a two-bagger, and Kinsler plated him with a single.Jackson scored his fourth run of the series, nearly totaling the Royals' output in the first three games (six).Jackson Alexander / MLB.com
Alex Avila cracked what turned out to be the game-winning RBI single in the fourth, and mashed a two-run home run in the ninth to drive in three of the Tigers' runs. J.D. Martinez's third hit of the game was a solo home run and put the Tigers up 3-1 in the ninth inning before Avila's blast provided a four-run cushion.Porcello's whirlwind last seven days began last Sunday when one of his roughest outings coincided with an individual honor.On the same day the righty allowed seven runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings of an 11-5 loss to the Rays, Porcello was named one of five AL starters in the Final Vote for a spot on the All-Star Game roster. Porcello finished third in voting.Despite the sweltering heat on Saturday, Porcello cruised to his 12th win of the season, while dropping his ERA to 3.39. The Tampa Bay start excluded, Porcello has allowed one run in his last 31 innings.Ian Kinsler and Austin Jackson started the scoring in the third, nearly the exact way they did the previous night in the Tigers' 2-1 win.Jackson smacked a two-out double, then Kinsler singled him home in the next at-bat. On Friday, Jackson led off the game with a two-bagger, and Kinsler plated him with a single.Jackson scored his fourth run of the series, nearly totaling the Royals' output in the first three games (six).Jackson Alexander / MLB.com
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