Maroth Caps Tigers’ Sweep of the Royals

Mike Maroth came within one out of a shutout, and the Detroit Tigers beat host Kansas City, 1-0, Sunday to complete a doubleheader sweep and send the Royals to a franchise-record 15th consecutive loss.

Kansas City’s losing streak is the longest in the major leagues since Tampa Bay lost 15 in a row in 2002. The only American League team to have a longer skid in the last 30 years was the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, who lost a league-record 21 in a row.

“This is getting really old,” Manager Buddy Bell said. “We literally did some bad things -- getting picked off, doubled off. The kid pitched a good game, but he threw to the same place the whole game and we didn’t make adjustments. You’ve got to have the courage to make adjustments, to live with a plan. It is frustrating.”

Seldom-used Vance Wilson was three for four with a home run and scored three times, including the go-ahead run in the ninth inning, to help Detroit win the first game, 8-7, despite losing left fielder Rondell White because of a dislocated shoulder.

In the second game, Manager Alan Trammell was more concerned about getting another victory than Maroth’s finishing a shutout.

After Chip Ambres flied out to deep center field for the second out in the ninth, Trammell summoned Fernando Rodney to retire Mike Sweeney with a runner on and preserve the win.

Maroth (10-11) gave up five hits and two walks, allowing only one runner to reach second base. He was backed up by four double plays.

Toronto 7, Baltimore 6 -- Rafael Palmeiro was hitless in four at-bats at Baltimore in his first game since returning from a 10-day suspension for using steroids.

The crowd of 30,954 had a mixed response to Palmeiro, but many began chanting “Raffy! Raffy!” before he flied out in the ninth inning.

New York 10, Texas 3 -- In a game delayed twice by rain, Hideki Matsui hit a three-run homer, Alex Rodriguez hit his fifth homer in eight days and the host Yankees completed a four-game sweep of the Rangers, who have lost seven in a row.

Tampa Bay 1, Cleveland 0 -- Pinch-hitter Travis Lee homered against Bob Wickman (0-4) with one out in the ninth inning to give the Devil Rays their first series sweep at Cleveland.

Chicago at Boston -- The game was postponed because of rain with Chicago leading, 5-2, with one out and two on in the top of the fourth. No makeup date was announced.