DETROIT -- James Shields and Danny Duffy were too much for the Detroit Tigers offence. Shields allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings and was part of a combined four-hit shutout in Kansas Citys 3-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night to give the Royals a sweep of a day-night doubleheader. Kansas City won the first game 2-1 as Duffy took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and pitched a combined two-hitter. "Huge day for us. Shields came back and, basically, matched the outing that Duffy had," said Eric Hosmer, who homered in each game. Royals pitching held the Tigers to a run and six hits combined in the two games. "You play 18 innings against a team like that and give up one run, youre doing something special," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he isnt worried about his AL Central-leading club. "Its not a concern. We got what we got. Its pretty simple," he said. "Both teams got great pitching, and we didnt must enough offence." The Royals gained two games on Detroit to move within 6 1/2 games of the Tigers. "We wanted to come in here and make a statement against these guys," Yost said. Shields (8-8) won his fourth game in his past five starts. He walked four and struck out one. "Tonight I was pounding the strike zone but just missing with some of my pitches," Shields said. " ... Ive been pitching well all season. Ive got a lot of quality starts. Thats what I care about, not wins and losses." The Tigers threatened against Shields in the second and third innings. In the second, a walk to Andy Dirks and Brayan Penas single gave Detroit runners on first and second with one out. But Shields got both Ramon Santiago and Jose Iglesias to hit pop-ups to the shortstop to get out of the inning. But the biggest potential rally came in the third when the right-hander walked Austin Jackson to lead off the third inning and Torii Hunter singled him to second. But Shields retired the next three hitters, using mostly his change-up. Miguel Cabrera was retired on weak roller to Shields between the mound and first base on which the runners moved up to second and third. But Prince Fielder hit a short fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Despite Jacksons speed, it wasnt nearly deep enough for him to score. Shields then got Victor Martinez to line out to right to end the inning. "Its huge, especially with their lineup and who was coming up," Shields said. "Youve got Miggy, Fielder and Victor, whose one of the hottest hitters in the league ... and Miggy, the best hitter in the league." Luke Hochevar pitched a perfect eighth and Greg Holland worked the ninth, allowing a hit, for his 34th save. He had saves in both games of the doubleheader. Jose Alvarez (1-3), called up from Triple-A Toledo to make the start, took the loss. He gave up two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out five. Alvarezs only big mistakes came in the third with two outs. He walked Jamey Carroll and Hosmer followed with his second home run of the day, that gave the Royals a 2-0 lead. Hosmer blasted Alvarezs 1-1 change-up deep into the right-field stands for his 14th homer. "I felt good, but I made one big mistake," Alvarez said. "Im here to win games for this team, and I didnt do that, so Im disappointed." Alvarez was replaced by Jeremy Bonderman with two outs in the sixth. Bonderman got the final out of that inning and the first two outs of the seventh before being replaced by Phil Coke and Al Alburquerque. Carrolls sacrifice fly in the seventh made it 3-0. It was an unearned run off Bonderman, whose throwing error on an attempted pickoff throw sent Chris Getz from first to third. He scored on the sac fly. Duffy (1-0) beat Justin Verlander in the opener. Duffy was called up from Triple-A Omaha to make his second big league start of the season, and didnt allow a hit until Cabreras hard-hit, two out single in the sixth. "I was glad that they finally got one, honestly, because I just wanted to pitch," said Duffy, who underwent Tommy John surgery. "I wanted to protect this arm." Kelvin Herrera replaced Duffy in the seventh and retired the side in order. Aaron Crow worked the eighth and allowed Santiagos pinch-hit home run leading off the inning. Crow got the next three batters. "Would have liked to have been able to accomplish two things, win and keep the bullpen fresh," Verlander said. "Just didnt happen that way. Felt like I threw the ball well. Just their guys pitched extremely well, which is theyve done all year." Verlander (12-9) allowed two runs and seven hits in eight innings. He struck out five and didnt walk a batter. "Our pitching was terrific tonight, both of them," Leyland said. "Im certainly not going to nitpick what they did." Kansas City made it 2-0 on consecutive doubles leading off the seventh by Justin Maxwell and Emilio Bonifacio. NOTE: With two outs in the second inning of the first game, Bonafacio hit a soft liner that Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias reached to his right to catch on the backhand. The ball popped out of his glove back over Iglesias head, but he twisted his body to catch it for the innings final out. ... In the eighth, Bonifacio, playing centre field, and right fielder David Lough collided after Bonifacio made a running catch of Cabreras long drive on the warning track in deep right-centre. ... It was the Royals first doubleheader sweep in Detroit since Aug. 5, 1984. ... Royals manager Ned Yost said third baseman Mike Moustakas, who has been out since leaving Mondays game with a tight calf, would do some work on the field on Friday to assess his progress. ... The Royals Billy Butler continued his mastery of Verlander in the first game. Butler was 2 for 3 to run his career mark against the Tigers star to 27-for-62 (. 435). ... Saturdays scheduled starters are Wade Davis (6-9, 5.29 ERA) for Kansas City against Doug Fister (10-6. 3.60) for Detroit. Miguel Cabrera was retired on weak roller to Shields between the mound and first base on which the runners moved up to second and third. But Prince Fielder hit a short fly ball to left fielder Alex Gordon. Despite Jacksons speed, it wasnt nearly deep enough for him to score. Shields then got Victor Martinez to line out to right to end the inning. Luke Hochevar pitched a perfect eighth and Greg Holland worked the ninth, allowing a hit, for his 34th save. He had saves in both games of the doubleheader. Jose Alvarez (1-3), called up from Triple-A Toledo to make the start, took the loss. He gave up two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out five. Alvarezs only big mistakes came in the third with two outs. He walked Jamey Carroll and Hosmer followed with his second home run of the day, that gave the Royals a 2-0 lead. Hosmer blasted Alvarezs 1-1 pitch deep into the right-field stands for his 14th homer. Alvarez was replaced by Jeremy Bonderman with two outs in the sixth. Bonderman got the final out of that inning and the first two outs of the seventh before being replaced by Phil Coke and Al Alburquerque. Carrolls sacrifice fly in the seventh made it 3-0. It was an unearned run off Bonderman, whose throwing error on an attempted pickoff throw sent Chris Getz from first to third. He scored on the sac fly. Duffy (1-0) beat Justin Verlander in the opener. Duffy was called up from Triple-A Omaha to make his second big league start of the season, and didnt allow a hit until Cabreras hard-hit, two out single in the sixth. "I was glad that they finally got one, honestly, because I just wanted to pitch," said Duffy, who underwent Tommy John surgery. "I wanted to protect this arm." Kelvin Herrera replaced Duffy in the seventh and retired the side in order. Aaron Crow worked the eighth and allowed Santiagos pinch-hit home run leading off the inning. Crow got the next three batters. "Would have liked to have been able to accomplish two things, win and keep the bullpen fresh," Verlander said. "Just didnt happen that way. Felt like I threw the ball well. Just their guys pitched extremely well, which is theyve done all year." Verlander (12-9) allowed two runs and seven hits in eight innings. He struck out five and didnt walk a batter. Kansas City made it 2-0 on consecutive doubles leading off the seventh by Justin Maxwell and Emilio Bonifacio. NOTE: With two outs in the second inning of the first game, Bonafacio hit a soft liner that Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias reached to his right to catch on the backhand. The ball popped out of his glove back over Iglesias head, but he twisted his body to catch it for the innings final out. ... In the eighth, Bonifacio, playing centre field, and right fielder David Lough collided after Bonifacio made a running catch of Cabreras long drive on the warning track in deep right-centre. ... It was the Royals first doubleheader sweep in Detroit since Aug. 5, 1984. ... Royals manager Ned Yost said third baseman Mike Moustakas, who has been out since leaving Mondays game with a tight calf, would do some work on the field on Friday to assess his progress. ... The Royals Billy Butler continued his mastery of Verlander in the first game. Butler was 2 for 3 to run his career mark against the Tigers star to 27-for-62 (. 435). ... Saturdays scheduled starters are Wade Davis (6-9, 5.29 ERA) for Kansas City against Doug Fister (10-6. 3.60) for Detroit. Zoilo Versalles Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Jim Thome Indians Jersey . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. https://www.cheapindiansonline.com/2958u-mel-harder-jersey-indians.html . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Frank Robinson Jersey . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Dennis Eckersley Indians Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. CHICAGO -- There it was, another big at-bat staring at Addison Russell. And once again, the young star delivered.Russell hit a two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, and three relievers combined for five perfect innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night.Hes growing up, manager Joe Maddon said. As a major league baseball player, his confidence could not be higher.The Cubs spoiled a shaky Jeff Samardzijas return to Wrigley Field and started September on a winning note after going 22-6 to match the 1932 team for the best August in franchise history.The major league leaders also moved a season-high 39 games over .500 and a jaw-dropping 15 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis in the NL Central -- their largest lead in the standings since the 1907 team finished 17 games ahead of Pittsburgh, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.Russells bloop single off Cory Gearrin gave the Cubs a 5-4 lead. Dexter Fowler had two singles and scored two runs.Kris Bryant added an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to 14 games, matching a career high. And the Cubs rallied behind a dominant bullpen and another big hit by Russell.I kind of embrace those situations, he said. In that situation, I didnt try to do too much. I just wanted to see a pitch, really, and just try to go about my approach the same way.The 22-year-old Russells 88 RBI are tops among National League shortstops. He is 8 for 18 and has driven in 23 runs with the bases loaded. On top of that, he is playing a Gold Glove-level defense.His go-ahead hit wiped out a 4-3 deficit and capped a rally that began when Hunter Strickland (3-2) gave up a leadoff single to Fowler and walked Bryant after two close pitches were called balls.Will Smith walked Ben Zobrist with one out to load the bases before retiring Jason Heyward on a pop fly. But Russell then drove in Fowler and Bryant with a bloop single to left.It obviously felt like I had a good game plan, Gearrin said. Made two good pitches and broke his bat and he just found a hole. Its just frustrating because you want to get the result no matter what. At the same time as a pitcher, you can only do so much.Thatt made a winner of Joe Smith (2-4), who worked two innings after returning from a strained left hamstring.ddddddddddddCarl Edwards Jr. worked the ninth for his first career save with Aroldis Chapman getting the night off after pitching in the previous three games. And the Cubs came away with the win on a cool and windy night in which both starting pitchers lasted just four innings.SHAKY STARTSSamardzija gave up three runs and five hits, walked three and threw 87 pitches in his second start against Chicago and first as a visitor at Wrigley Field. The right-hander played for the Cubs from 2008 until he was traded to Oakland during the 2014 season in the deal for Russell.Chicagos Mike Montgomery gave up four runs -- three earned -- and three hits, including a long two-run homer to Hunter Pence in the first.TRANSACTIONSThe Giants reinstated LHP Josh Osich and OF Mac Williamson from the DL and recalled LHP Ty Blach, LHP Matt Reynolds, LHP Steven Okert and INF Kelby Tomlinson from Triple-A.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: RHP Matt Cain (lower back strain) is expected to come off the DL and head to the bullpen rather than the rotation. Manager Bruce Bochy said the three-time All-Star, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, was all for the assignment. RHP Albert Suarez will start Friday.Cubs: RHP John Lackey (strained right shoulder) will likely return to the rotation this weekend. Thursdays throwing session went well, and assuming no setbacks, the veteran will start Sunday. ... RHP Hector Rondon (strained right triceps) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday and likely make another appearance for the minor league club before returning. ... Pedro Strop (torn meniscus in left knee) tweaked his right groin in a workout on Wednesday. The Cubs expect him to miss about six weeks after initially projecting him to be out four to six following his injury on Aug. 10.UP NEXTThe Cubs send LHP Jon Lester (14-4, 2.70 ERA), unbeaten in his past six starts, to the mound while Suarez (3-2, 4.35) makes his eighth start for San Francisco. ' ' '