DETROIT (AP) -- Rookie Drew Smyly struck out a career-high 10 in six impressive innings and Delmon Young homered as the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 Friday night.
The win got the Tigers (42-42) back to .500 for the first time since May 15. They had failed the last eight times when needing one win to reach the mark.
Smyly (4-3) allowed two runs on six hits. Smyly didn't walk a batter. Four Detroit relievers finished, with Jose Valverde pitching the ninth for his 16th save in 19 tries.
Jonathan Sanchez (1-5) had his winless streak extend to 10 starts, allowing four runs in 5 2-3 innings. He has not won since beating the Los Angeles Angels on April 8.
(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
