MLB: Detroit 6, Kansas City 2 24 (UPI) -- Justin Verlander tossed eight effective innings Monday and Detroit kept the pressure on in the American League Central with a 6-2 win over Kansas City. Verlander (16-8) won for the fourth time in five starts, limiting the Royals to a pair of runs on nine hits. The Tigers ace didn't issue a walk and struck out eight. Prince Fielder went 2-for-4 with a long solo homer and Andy Dirks knocked in a pair of runs for the second-place Tigers, who came into the contest trailing the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox by one game. Austin Jackson went 3-for-4 with an RBI as Detroit took the opener of a four-game series, bouncing back from a doubleheader defeat at the hands of Minnesota Sunday. Royals starter Luke Hochevar (8-15) was rocked for six runs (five earned) on 12 hits over 7 1/3 innings. Billy Butler went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Alex Gordon homered for Kansas City.