Detroit Tigers take the broom to the Kansas City Royals

May 4, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher

(35) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Tigers beat the Royals 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals were swept by the Detroit Tigers in a three game series at Kauffman Stadium, dropping the final game 9-4 Sunday afternoon. Justin Verlander (4-1, 2.68) got the victory, tossing 5-2/3 no-hit ball before Billy Butler reached on a single. Jason Vargas (2-1, 3.50) took the loss. Verlander walked four, and eventually surrendered three runs, two on a triple by Jarrod Dyson in the seventh. Vargas lasted only five innings, doling out 11 hits, seven runs and two walks. He served up two home runs. The Royals, in getting swept by their division rival, fell five games behind the Tigers after 30 games into the season.

NOTABLES: The Royals were outscored 26-8 and outhit 42-16 in the 3-game series against the Tigers. Nori Aoki was perfect at the plate Sunday, going 1-1 with three walks. Billy Butler raised his average to .241 going 2-4 Sunday. Butler is hitting .308 over his last 10 games. Mike Moustakas is seven at-bats away from the magical 100 at-bat mark, set by Ned Yost as a yard stick for evaluating his hitting. Through 93 at-bats, he is hitting .151, and has hit only .182 in his last 10 games (33 at-bats). NEXT: Kansas City Royals (14-16) trot out Yordano Ventura (2-1, 1.50) vs. the San Diego Padres (13-18) and Eric Stults (1-3, 5.34), Monday, 9:10 p.m.