finishing in the top four Another slip-up could find Arsen

DETROIT -- Its been over a decade since the Kansas City Royals were in first place this late in the season, and try as he might, manager Ned Yost couldnt totally downplay the achievement. He just wants it kept in perspective. "Its nice. Weve got a lot of games to play. We dont get all geeked up," Yost said. "Its better than the alternative, trust me." Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas homered as part of a seven-run second inning, and the Royals displaced the Detroit Tigers atop the AL Central on Tuesday night with an 11-4 victory, their ninth in a row. Kansas City is in first place this late in the season for the first time since 2003, according to STATS. The Royals were leading the division in late August that year, only to finish third at 83-79. They have not made the post-season since winning the World Series in 1985. "A lot of games left, so it really doesnt matter, but to say youre in first place, it feels pretty good," designated hitter Billy Butler said. "Being in first place any time is good -- even if its after the first game." Gordon and Moustakas hit two-run shots off Max Scherzer, and Kansas City has won the first two games of this four-game series emphatically. The Royals, who trailed the Tigers by seven games after a May 20 loss, now lead Detroit by a half-game. Scherzer (8-3) yielded a career high-tying 10 runs in four-plus innings. The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner allowed the first eight batters of the second inning to reach base, with Kansas City scoring six runs before making an out. "Im just not putting guys away with two strikes. Thats my problem," Scherzer said. "Ive taken punches on the chin before, and Ive come back. Im not worried about that. I just have to get back to where Im putting guys away." Scherzer did strike out five in the game. Yordano Ventura (5-5) allowed three runs and eight hits in seven innings. Ian Kinsler hit a solo homer for Detroit. After winning 86 games in 2013, Kansas City is hoping to unseat the Tigers, who have won the last three division titles. Detroit looked headed for a fourth straight year at the top after a 27-12 start, but now the Tigers are facing a surprising number of questions about their starting rotation, which was expected to be among the best in baseball. Justin Verlander has slumped badly over the last month -- he took the loss in Kansas Citys 11-8 victory in the series opener Monday. Scherzer threw his first career shutout last week, but the Royals tagged him for 10 hits in his next start Tuesday. Gordon opened the scoring with his two-run drive to right field, and Moustakas homer made it 4-0. Omar Infante added a two-run single before Eric Hosmer finally made the first out of the second inning on a tapper to the pitcher. Some fans cheered sarcastically, even though another run came home on the play to make it 7-0. Verlander and Scherzer combined to allow 17 runs in the first two games of this series. Thats the most ever by two teammates with Cy Young Awards in back-to-back team games, according to STATS. Ventura allowed two runs in the second, but that was the first of three consecutive innings in which Detroit hit into a double play. With the Royals ahead 10-2 in the fifth, Ventura walked Miguel Cabrera with the bases loaded, but the hard-throwing rookie caught a break when a pitch to Victor Martinez sailed past catcher Salvador Perez. The ball bounced hard off the backstop, right back to Perez, and Detroits Eugenio Suarez was caught between third base and home. Perez threw to third to catch Suarez retreating and end the inning. NOTES: Detroit is out of first place for the first time since taking over the division lead July 3 last year, according to STATS. ... The Tigers agreed to terms with OF Derek Hill, the teams first-round draft pick. ... Perez extended his hitting streak to 11 games. ... Royals INF Danny Valencia (left hand) was assigned to Triple-A Omaha for a rehab assignment. ... Detroit OF Torii Hunter, who left Mondays game with a hamstring cramp, did not play. ... Detroit LHP Drew Smyly (3-5) faces Kansas City RHP Jeremy Guthrie (3-6) on Wednesday. Cheap Trevor Hoffman Jersey . The redshirt freshman finished the regular season with nearly 3,500 passing yards, and 35 touchdowns with another three on the ground while leading the Seminoles to the top of the BCS Rankings. Cheap MLB Jerseys . Heavily-criticized after allowing a dozen goals on 58 shots in two games in Boston, Luongo continued his dominance at home. Hes now allowed two goals in three home games in this series. http://www.cheappadresjerseys.com/ . Clevelands manager had just watched his team lose 5-3 to Kansas City, which completed a 2-6 homestand and dropped the Indians 2 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central. Cheap Tony Gwynn Jersey . -- Houstons All-Star tandem of James Harden and Dwight Howard refused to let the Rockets give in to fatigue. Cheap MLB Jerseys Authentic . Tortorella told The Vancouver Province hell be cheering for Team Sweden to win gold when they take on the defending Olympic champions on Sunday morning. "I hope Sweden wins, cause I dont think Hammer (Dan Hamhuis) is going to play, judging by whats happened.As we approach the business end of the season, theres still plenty at stake at the top and bottom of the Premier League. All eyes turn to the title race later in the weekend with Leicester hosting West Ham on Super Sunday and Tottenham going to Stoke on Monday Night Football, while on Saturday the battle from the drop is in the spotlight.What questions will be answered come Monday, 10pm? Who will come out on top in the relegation six-pointer? (Norwich v Sunderland, Saturday 12.45pm)A real relegation six-pointer. Visitors Sunderland sit four points behind Norwich with a game in hand, but come into the game without a win in six. Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce takes his side to Norwich for a six-pointer Norwichs good form came to a halt last Saturday with the defeat at Crystal Palace, but the psychological advantage is with them after a last-minute victory over Newcastle last time out at Carrow Road.Sunderland need the win more, but the fixtures dont get much easier for either side after Saturday. Sunderland host Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton mixed in with trips to Stoke and Watford, while Norwich also face Arsenal (away), Man Utd (home), Watford (home) and Everton (away) before the season is out.Can Roberto Martinezs side give themselves a much-needed boost before the FA Cup semi-finals? (Everton v Southampton, Saturday 3pm)One thing Everton fans are desperate for is silverware. They were knocked out of the Capital One Cup at the semi-final stage this season by Manchester City, and are still without a trophy since 1995.Martinez has come under extreme pressure in recent weeks, underachieving in the eyes of Everton fans despite having a strong squad full of top internationals. Everton supporters hold a banner against Roberto Martinez at Watford last weekend They sit 12th in the Premier League with six games to go having had European aspirations in August, but all that will be forgotten if they are victorious at Wembley on May 21.The FA Cup, to some, is Martinezs last hope of redeeming himself, but first they must produce a positive performance and result to boot against a Saints side who have won three of their last four, before the Toffees face Manchester United at Wembley next Saturday.Will Villa finally give their fans something to cheer about as they head for the Championship? (Manchester United v Aston Villa, Saturday 3pm)It would be bizarrely fitting for Aston Villa to be relegated at the ground they have so often fallen short at in Premier League history. Aston Villa can be relegated at Old Trafford Villa, despite challenging United for the title in the first Premier League season in 1992/93, have won just once at Old Trafford since 1983, and are all-but guaranteed to start next season in the second tier of English football for the first time since 1987.United, meanwhile, have problems of their own, but have the chance to close the gap on Manchester City to one point in the race for the top four, with Manuel Pellegrinis side facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the late kick-off.Will the lunchtime result boost Newcastles survival bid, or put more pressure on? (Newcastle v Swansea, Saturday 3pm)While rivals Sunderland compete in their six-pointer at Norwich, Newcastle host Swansea at St James Park, where the gap to the Canaries could be nine points by 3pm. Newcastle United players show their frustration after the defeat by Southampton Theyll have two games in hand, of course, but they face a Swansea side who have won four of their last six in the Premier League.Rafa Benitezs impact at Newcastle has not been as potent as first hoped, and their woeful performance in the 3-1 defeat by Southampton last weekend prompted the Spaniard to question his sides fight and hunger. It will be 50,000 Geordies doing the same, and much more vocally, if they produce the same on Saturday.Can Watford reach 40 points with five games to spare? (West Brom v Watford, Saturday 3pm)West Brom got there a fortnight ago, and Watford fans have been waiting since the end of February to reach the 40-point mark and all-but secure their Premier League safety. Jose Holebas celebrates scoring Watfords equaliser against Everton A win over the Baggies would do it, but having taken just two points out of a possible 18, form is not on their side.For the hosts, some goalmouth actiion would be a bonus for fans between now and the end of the season having already got to 40; theyve failed to register a shot on target in two of their last three games.ddddddddddddCan City tighten their grasp on fourth place? (Chelsea v Man City, Saturday Night Football 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)The return fixture in August was billed as a fight between first and second, but the bizarre Premier League season has taken a turn for both sides. Manchester City made it through to the Champions League semi-final in midweek Man City are looking to secure fourth and Chelsea remain hopeful of a top six place, and their respective styles of football should still produce an entertaining game.After Guus Hiddinks unbeaten Premier League run ended at Swansea, all eyes will be on Citys top-four push. Manchester United host bottom club Aston Villa hours before, so pressure should be on Manuel Pellegrinis side. Can Liverpool make a late charge for the top four? (Bournemouth v Liverpool, Sunday 1.30pm)Jurgen Klopps side are nine points behind Manchester City with a game in hand going into the weekend, and with City travelling to Chelsea, this could be Liverpools chance to make up ground. Liverpool have an outside chance of reaching the top four The hallmark of Klopps tenure has been too many draws, but with Bournemouth safe after a dream first season in the Premier League, the Reds could take over at the Vitality Stadium.However, theyve suffered from one or two Europa League hangovers this season, and after a challenging night against Dortmund on Thursday, Klopp may have to shuffle his pack again.Can Leicester put the pressure on Tottenham again in the title race? (Leicester v West Ham, Super Sunday 1.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)Harry Kane told Sky Sports last week it didnt matter who won first over the weekend, but White Hart Lane was anxious in stages in the first half against Manchester United last Sunday following Leicesters win at Sunderland. Leicester City fans could see their side move a step forward to the title on Sunday The roof was soon lifted after three goals in seven minutes proved Spurs werent out of the title race, but Leicester can once again pile the pressure on with a win over West Ham before their rivals trip to Stoke on Monday Night Football.This is arguably Leicesters biggest test in recent weeks, and with West Ham holding Champions League aspirations of their own, it will be a nervy and competitive affair at the King Power Stadium. Will Arsenal avoid a disastrous 2016 by securing the top four? (Arsenal v Crystal Palace, Super Sunday 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)With just seven points separating Arsenal in third and West Ham in sixth, the top four race is by no means done and dusted. Arsenal are looking to avoid a disastrous 2016 by finishing in the top four Another slip-up could find Arsenal clinging onto fourth with five games remaining, and even if the top four is secured, the same questions will be asked of Arsene Wengers tenure come the end of the season.Palace are edging closer to 40 points after a much-needed first victory of 2016 over Norwich last weekend was followed by a draw with Everton on Wednesday, and the pressure should be off as they travel to the Emirates, where they always give Arsenal a proper game. Can Spurs end their recent troubles against Stoke and keep their title hopes alive? (Stoke v Tottenham, Monday Night Football 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD)It may be a good time to play Stoke, who have won just one of their last five, but Spurs have stuttered against the Potters over the past 18 months. Spurs have struggled against Stoke in the last 18 months They were beaten 2-1 at White Hart Lane last season before a 3-0 defeat at the Britannia, and despite being 2-0 up back in August of this term with 12 minutes remaining, Stoke fought back for a 2-2 draw.Nevertheless, Graeme Souness said after the 3-0 win over Manchester United that this Spurs side can challenge for years to come, while Jan Vertonghen insists they can do something special if Mauricio Pochettino stays. But for the moment, all that matters is the coming weeks. 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