Royals 3, Tigers 0: Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer and James Shields pitched seven strong innings as visiting Kansas City completed a doubleheader sweep of Detroit.

Jamey Carroll also had an RBI as Shields (8-8) won for the fourth time in five starts. The victories moved the Royals within 6 1/2 games of the Tigers in the American League Central and five behind the Oakland Athletics for the AL’s second wild-card berth.

Hosmer also homered in Friday’s 2-1 afternoon victory. Detroit had just six hits in the doubleheader while seeing its lead over second-place Cleveland whittled to six games.

Shields allowed three hits and four walks before exiting. Luke Hochevar worked a perfect eighth and Greg Holland pitched around Victor Martinez’s leadoff single in the ninth to earn his 34th save in 36 opportunities.

Hosmer smacked his blast – his 14th of the season – off Jose Alvarez (1-3) in the third inning. The Royals added a seventh-inning run when Chris Getz singled, moved to third on Jeremy Bonderman’s errant pickoff attempt and scored on a sacrifice fly by Carroll.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Detroit trio of Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder and Martinez was a combined 3-for-22 in the doubleheader with Cabrera recording two of the hits. … Royals OF Justin Maxwell went 2-for-4 in the opener and then was put on the bereavement list afterward due to the death of his grandmother. … Alvarez allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.