The Kansas City Royals allowed three runs in the third and fell to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium 4-2. The Tigers swept the three-game series and are now just a half-game behind Minnesota for the third wild card spot.

Tarik Skubal allowed a Yuri Gurriel single in the first but then proceeded to strike out seven batters in five innings, allowing just the one run on three hits and a walk to earn his 17th win of the year. Alec Marsh was unable to last three innings, taking the loss after allowing all four runs (three earned) on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Daniel Lynch IV led the Royals bullpen in a two-hit containment effort, as relievers combined to strike out eight and allow just three walks. However, the offense once again could not advance runners home, stranding another seven while hitting into two more double plays. Salvador Perez was able to single in a run in the eighth.

The Royals (82-71) have lost four straight and are now six games behind Cleveland in the AL Central, while still 2.5 games behind Baltimore for the top wild card spot but 1.5 games ahead of Minnesota for the second spot.

Kansas City’s remaining games are against National League teams, as the Royals will finish the regular season with a 63-53 mark against the American League, including 33-19 against Central Division teams.

After an off day Thursday, the Royals prepare for their final home series of the regular season against the San Francisco Giants.