First-place Royals? Better start to believe it

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) When the Royals rolled out of bed Tuesday morning and glanced at the standings, they saw something that hadn't been the case since many of them were in junior high school.

Kansas City was sitting atop the AL Central and the playoffs were closer than opening day.

After they won their eighth straight game Monday night, against AL West-leading Oakland no less, the Royals assumed control of their division at the latest point in a season since 2003.

Perennial powerhouse Detroit had been relegated to second place, at least for a day, and an entire city that has been starved for winning was able to relish the moment.