Kansas City, MO (My Sportsbook) - Two of the worst teams in the American League face off tonight in Kansas City, where the Royals host the last place Detroit Tigers in the first of a three-game series between AL Central foes.

The hosts enter tonight's series off a 6-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians. On Sunday, Raul Ibanez drove in two runs for the Royals, who must win three of their last six games to avoid the first 100-loss season in franchise history. Mike Sweeney was 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI for Kansas City.

Jason Grimsley (4-7) started the eighth inning in relief of Royals' starter Darrell May. Burks reached on an infield single with one out and Garcia followed by drilling a 2-2 pitch over the wall in right-center for a 5-3 lead.

Ibanez has 101 RBI, reaching the plateau for the first time in his career. He has 25 RBI in his last 31 games. Starter Darrell May surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on six hits in seven innings. He walked three and struck out three.

Detroit suffered a 4-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday. Mike Maroth (6-9) took the loss, hurling eight innings and surrendering four runs on six hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Damion Easley was 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI for Detroit, while Omar Infante ended 2-for-4.

Miguel Asencio takes the mound for the Royals tonight, seeking his first win since August 25. The 21-year-old righthander has gone 0-3 in his last three starts after allowing 10 runs through 16 1/3 innings. On Tuesday, he yielded one run on five hits over five innings in a 6-1 loss at Chicago.

Asencio lost his only career start against the Tigers on July 25, when he surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings in a 5-2 loss.

In 18 outings at home, including 11 starts, Asencio is 2-3 with an ERA of 7.06.

Countering for the Tigers is fellow rookie Shane Loux, who makes his third career start tonight. The 23-year-old righthander has allowed nine runs over 10 innings in his two prior starts. He last pitched on Tuesday, and allowed four runs on eight hits through six frames in a 7-4 loss to Minnesota.

Loux, who is winless, aims for the first road win of his career.

The season series is tied at 8-8. Kansas City is 5-1 against the Tigers this year. However, over the past two seasons, the Royals have gone 13-3 versus Detroit at home.