Detroit’s starting pitcher Tarik Skubal limited the Kansas City Royals to four hits as the Detroit Tigers posted a 5-0 shutout Sunday, Aug. 31 at Kauffman Stadium.

Skubal struck out four and walked a pair in his seven innings to secure his 12th win of the year. The Royals stranded five base runners, including three in scoring position. Twice that was Maikel Garcia, who led the Royals hitting with a pair of doubles.

The bulk of Detroit’s damage was done in the fifth. Jake Rogers brought home the first two runs with a triple, then scored on Colt Keith’s double. Keith would come home on the single by Gleyber Torres. Detroit would add a run in the eighth with a passed ball by Luke Maile.

Michael Wacha took the loss on his return from paternity leave, going 4.2 innings and allowing four runs on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts.

The loss, coupled with Seattle’s win over Cleveland, has the Royals (70-67) once again three games behind the Mariners for the third wild card spot, and 9.5 games behind the Tigers for the AL Central lead. The Royals will have Monday off before welcoming the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game set beginning Tuesday.