DETROIT (AP) – Justin Verlander breezed through eight innings and Prince Fielder hit a solo homer, helping the Detroit Tigers steady themselves with a 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. Detroit entered one game behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the AL Central after being swept in a doubleheader by Minnesota on Sunday. Verlander (16-8) had little trouble with the Royals, who knocked him around for eight runs and 12 hits last month. The right-hander allowed two runs and nine hits this time, striking out eight without a walk. Jose Valverde pitched the ninth. Luke Hochevar (8-15) yielded six runs – five earned – and 12 hits in 7 1-3 innings.