DETROIT -- James Shields was acquired two offseasons ago to pitch in games like this for Kansas City. Fake Yeezy Boost 350 V2 . With the Royals trying to avoid a sweep in their biggest series in years, the 32-year-old right-hander delivered. "You dont earn a nickname like Big Game James for nothing," manager Ned Yost said. "Games dont come much bigger than this." Shields allowed two hits over seven innings in another terrific performance, and Kansas City edged Detroit 3-0 on Wednesday night to take a one-game lead over the Tigers atop the AL Central. Detroit had won the first two games of the series to pull into a virtual tie for first in the division. The teams have a three-game series in Kansas City that starts Sept. 19. "Its definitely a game that we needed, for sure, but I think every game from here on out is pretty crucial," Shields said. "We took a couple tough losses there, the last couple days, but were having fun right now and enjoying the moment." Shields (14-7) gave up a single to Ian Kinsler leading off the first. Then he picked off Kinsler -- and retired every other batter he faced until another Detroit single in the seventh. The Tigers put two on that inning, but Shields worked out of the jam. Kelvin Herrera pitched the eighth and Wade Davis finished for his third save. Rick Porcello (15-11) pitched well for the Tigers, but Kansas City pushed across two runs in the fourth on RBI singles by Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain. Alcides Escobar added a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Shields was acquired in December 2012 in a trade that sent top prospect Wil Myers to Tampa Bay. Myers won Rookie of the Year honours last season, but now Shields has helped put the Royals in contention for their first post-season appearance since 1985. "The only thing Ive been telling guys is just stay relaxed and have fun," said Shields, who pitched in the post-season for Tampa Bay in 2008, 2010 and 2011. "This is why we play the game." He came within two outs of a shutout in New York on Friday in a 1-0 win over the Yankees, and the Tigers didnt fare any better against him. Shields struck out eight and walked one on Wednesday, throwing 98 pitches. Torii Hunters comebacker hit Shields in the back of his right leg in the first, but the Kansas City starter was able to continue. The game was delayed 42 minutes by rain at the start, and in the fourth it was raining hard enough to send fans toward the concourse, but there were no more delays. RALLY HALTED In the seventh, Hunter managed a single and Miguel Cabrera walked, but Shields retired Victor Martinez on a deep fly and struck out J.D. Martinez. "Thats pretty typical of him. He goes out and he pitches like that for 200 innings every year. Thats what he does," Kinsler said. "Rick threw the ball really well, but we didnt create any offence, and thats the game." TOUGH LOSS Porcello struck out four of the first five Kansas City batters. He allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings, striking out seven without a walk. He allowed consecutive singles to Josh Willingham, Eric Hosmer and Perez with one out in the fourth, and Cains two-out single made it 2-0. TRAINERS ROOM Royals: All-Star closer Greg Holland sat out again, despite the tight score in the late innings. He hasnt pitched since Sept. 3 because of a triceps issue. "Greg felt fine today," Yost said. "My whole mindset was, I was going to go up to the point where Greg said, OK, I dont feel anything -- and then give him another day." Tigers: RHP Joakim Soria (left oblique strain) was activated from the disabled list before the game. He allowed a run in the ninth. ... Left-handed reliever Phil Coke left in the eighth with a muscle spasm in his lower back after being unable to field Hosmers bunt. UP NEXT Royals: RHP Liam Hendriks (1-1) starts against Bostons Clay Buchholz (7-8) on Thursday night. Kansas City LHP Danny Duffy is missing that turn in the rotation because of a sore shoulder. Tigers: Detroit has an off day Thursday, followed by a home series against Cleveland. Tigers LHP David Price (13-11) starts against Cleveland RHP Carlos Carrasco (7-4) on Friday night. Fake Yeezys .com) - The Los Angeles Kings werent playing their best hockey before the league went on break during the Winter Olympics. Fake Yeezys From China . - Erick Torres scored his 10th goal of the season on a stunning volley, and Chivas USA edged 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Saturday night. http://www.fakeyeezysforsale.com/ . -- Golden State Warriors reserve centre Ognjen Kuzmic is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured right hand.With the majority of NFL training camps underway, the league is abuzz with position battles, injury news and rookies making an immediate impact. Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NFL beat. Feeling Better? It looks like Rob Gronkowski is healing more and more each day at New England Patriots camp. According to NFL Medias Albert Breer, the tight end increased his output to half-to-three quarter speed and moved from strictly individual drills and into 11-on-11. "Now, for the first few days of camp, he wasnt in 7-on-7 drills and he wasnt in 11-on-11 drills. But what we just saw out here a few minutes ago, that might be changing. They actually had him out there for some half-speed 11-on-11 work, so it looks like hes continuing to take those steps forward toward Week 1," Breer said Sunday. "Everything that you see here indicates that Gronk is going to be a go for Week 1, even if they are taking it a little easy on him right now." The Legend Continues Sammy Watkins has impressed everyone and their cousin at Buffalo Bills training camp and he doesnt look to be slowing down. The praise heaped on the rookie wideout is firing from all cylinders, including two of the most important members of the Bills organization - general manager Doug Whaley and head coach Doug Marrone. "Sammy is as advertised, and actually even better than advertised because of everything he does off field," Whaley said, as quoted by CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora. "His preparation, his want to be the best, his professionalism. He is wise beyond his years." "Hes probably the first player up every morning, annd then you also see him working on the field after practice. Fake Yeezys Online. Hes really humble, and hes a hard worker. Hes earned it. Hes been everything you hope for," Marrone added. First Sighting The Denver Broncos are playing in front of their fans for the first time since the Super Bowl. The team had to close its Dove Valley training facilities at training camp because of an ongoing $35 million construction project. To accommodate their fans, the Broncos are holding three workouts at Sports Authority Field over the next week. Sunday marked the first chance for fans to get to see Peyton Manning this summer along with the Broncos draft class and free agents T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware and Emmanuel Sanders. Coach John Fox said, "I think our players are excited. Anytime they walk in there its such a great spot and we have such great fans. That obviously sparks them." Fault Line The Miami Dolphins put on full pads for the first time today at training camp and that still didnt help out the offensive line. Even though the added gear should have slowed down Miamis speedy defensive front, that group continued to find an edge both in passing and running situations. As a result, Miamis quarterbacks had to get rid of the ball quicker or in some cases take a sack. Not good news considering Ryan Tannehill was sacked a league-high 58 times last year. Coach Joe Philbin is being patient early with a brand new starting five that includes a rookie at right tackle in first-round draft pick JaWuan James. But veteran left tackle Branden Albert, a Pro Bowler last year, had his own struggles. With files from The Associated Press ' ' '