Brady Singer allowed one run over seven innings to lead the host Kansas City Royals to a 3-1 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

Singer scattered three hits and struck out five without walking a batter to finish off a solid rookie season at 4-5. The Royals (26-34) won three of the four games in the series between the two worst teams in the American League Central.

The Tigers (23-35) opened the scoring in the first inning on a two-out, RBI double by Brandon Dixon. The Royals tied the game in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Adalberto Mondesi.

The score remained that way until the fifth, when Royals designated hitter Ryan McBroom launched a home run to left-center to give Kansas City the lead.

Mondesi added an insurance run for the Royals in the eighth, hitting an RBI double to right to boost the Royals' advantage to 3-1.

Mondesi finished with 12 hits and seven RBIs in the series.

Scott Barlow relieved Singer and retired the Tigers in order in the eighth inning. Jesse Hahn recorded his third save of the season by striking out the side in the ninth for Kansas City.

The game pitted two of the American League's most promising rookie pitchers in Singer and Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (1-4).

After Jordan Zimmermann started the game and pitched a scoreless first inning, Skubal came on in the second inning and was effective despite taking the loss. He allowed two runs on two hits while striking out six and walking one in five innings.

The Tigers generated just three hits and only one walk, while Kansas City had five hits and walked just twice.

Royals outfielder Alex Gordon struck out in the first inning in what was his final career at-bat. Gordon announced earlier in the week that he is retiring after this season.