Rival watch: Cabrera's 40th HR highlights Tigers 6-3 win; Indians 7 games back
DETROIT (AP) -- Miguel Cabrera hit his 40th home run and had an RBI single to help Max Scherzer become baseball's first 18-game winner this season as the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3 to win the five-game series.
The reigning Triple Crown winner became the third player since 1921 to have at least 40 homers and 120 RBIs while batting .350 or better through 116 games, joining Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx, according to STATS.
Scherzer (18-1) gave up two runs on five hits over eight innings. Scherzer and Roger Clemens are the pitchers since 1919 to have 18 wins in their first 19 decisions, STATS said. Clemens did it with the New York Yankees in 2001, when he finished 20-3.