KANSAS CITY, MO (AP) -- Bruce Chen allowed four hits over a season-high eight innings, and Eric Hosmer's infield single in the fourth drove in the only run in the Kansas City Royals' 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

The last time Chen (10-10) lasted eight innings was last September in his final two starts of the year. The veteran left-hander hadn't even gone seven in his past 11 outings.

Anibal Sanchez (2-4) matched him pitch for pitch most of the night, finally looking like the guy the Tigers thought they were acquiring in a July trade with Florida. Sanchez allowed seven hits in seven innings, but the RBI single off the fists by Hosmer proved to be decisive.

Detroit trails the Chicago White Sox by three games in the AL Central after the White Sox defeated Baltimore 8-1.

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