Justin Verlander struck out 11 to lead the American League with 141 overall and the Detroit Tigers went on to beat the Kansas City Royals 8-5 Tuesday night at Comerica Park. Marcus Thames hit a three run homer, his eighth, and Placido Polanco homered and drove in four runs. The Tigers are now 45-38 with one more game against the Royals on Wednesday before Cleveland comes in for three on the weekend and then all the teams break for next Tuesday's all star game in St. Louis.