Royals 5, Tigers 2: Norichika Aoki delivered a tiebreaking two-run triple and Alex Gordon snapped an 0-for-14 skid with an RBI double as host Kansas City salvaged the finale of the three-game series with Detroit.

Billy Butler and Alcides Escobar also drove in runs for the Royals, who are 1 1/2 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central and 1 1/2 ahead of Seattle for the final wild card spot. Jeremy Guthrie (12-11) won his second straight start after allowing two runs (one earned) and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Ian Kinsler homered for Detroit, which won the season series 13-6 while losing for the second time in 10 games at Kauffman Stadium this season. Rick Porcello (15-12) extended his winless string to five starts with his second loss to Kansas City during that span after permitting four runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.

Kinsler cut a 2-0 deficit in half after he led off the third by belting a 1-0 offering out to left for his 16th home run of the season. Detroit tied it in the fourth when Andrew Romine flew out and, after third baseman Mike Moustakas couldn't handle Gordon's throw from left, J.D. Martinez scooted home from third.

After Escobar popped out during a sacrifice attempt in the fourth, Aoki bounced a hard grounder past first baseman Victor Martinez and into the right-field corner to plate Omar Infante and Moustakas. The Royals plated an insurance run in the seventh when Gordon doubled over the head of left fielder J.D. Martinez.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Greg Holland struck out two in a perfect ninth to earn his 43rd save in 45 chances. ... Gordon, who leads Kansas City with 19 home runs and 71 RBIs, is 10-for-63 with a homer and eight RBIs in 19 September games. ... Tigers RF Torii Hunter went 1-for-4 to snap his string of six straight two-hit games.