Detroit Tigers win second consecutive Central Division crown

The Detroit Tigers are back-to-back Central Division champions.

Detroit never trailed the Royals, winning 6-3, to clinch the division title. Detroit last won back-to-back division titles in 1934-35. You know what happened in the second year of that run, right?

The Tigers got on the board in the fifth inning with a home run by Jhonny Peralta, but the fun officially began in the sixth.

Miguel Cabrera blasted a solo home run -- his 44th of the year, giving him sole possession of the American League home-run lead during his quest for a Triple Crown -- then the flood gates opened. A pair of doubles buttressing a Royals error, a single an an intentional walk lifted the Tigers to a 6-0 lead.

Cabrera went 4-for-5 for the night, increasing his batting average to .329 for the season. He leads Los Angeles' Mike Trout by 6 points and Minnesota's Joe Mauer by 7 points in that category. He also leads Josh Hamilton by 10 RBI in that one.

A solo home run off Rick Porcello was his only damage on the day. He gave up four hits and three walks before being lifted with a 6-1 lead in the sixth inning.

The Tigers made things a bit more dramatic than their fans would like. A rare off game by reliever Al Alburquerque coupled with another off night by reliever Joaquin Benoit let the game get to 6-3 after eight innings.

Tigers closer Jose Valverde allowed a base runner, naturally, before escaping the inning without any blemishes.

Prince Fielder also had four hits. Peralta and Andy Dirks had two hits apiece.