By DOUG TUCKER
AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo.(AP) -- Barrel-chested Billy Butler always had
powerful wrists and quick reflexes. Only now his mental ability
is catching up with his physical talent.

Picking on three different pitchers Wednesday night, Butler
doubled three times for a club-record fourth time this season to
help the Kansas City Royals beat Justin Verlander and the
Detroit Tigers 5-1 for their first three-game winning streak
since July.

According to STATS LLC, the 23-year-old first baseman is the
first player since at least 1954 to have four games with three
or more doubles in a season.

"I don't think there's any doubt how talented he is," Royals
manager Trey Hillman said. "I think everyone knows that. But
mentally, he's come a long ways just with his approach. I think
the sky's the limit for him as long as he continues to learn at
the rate that he's learned between last year and this year."

Butler had two RBIs in his fifth straight multihit game, backing
another strong start by Robinson Tejeda (2-1). David DeJesus and
Mitch Maier also drove in a run.

Tejeda matched his career high with eight strikeouts and allowed
just three hits. The right-hander, who was in the bullpen all
year until making an emergency start last week, has struck out
25 during a 19-inning scoreless streak that probably will earn
him a tryout for next year's rotation.

"I think I still have a long time in my career," he said. "If I
can just finish as a starter, I'm going to be very happy and
proud. I'm going to try to work the most I can in the offseason,
the same I'm doing right now, and try to be ready for spring
training and try to win a spot."

Verlander (16-8) struck out eight in six innings, allowing one
run and six hits. He set the Royals down in order only twice and
dropped to 9-2 with a 2.32 ERA in 14 career starts against
Kansas City.

"He was throwing very hard and had tremendous stuff," Butler
said. "He was almost throwing through his stuff."

Verlander scuffled most of the game and missed a chance to
become the AL's first 17-game winner.

"I did all I could with what I had," he said. "I wasn't very
good at any aspects of the game. The fastball control wasn't
there. My breaking ball was horrible. My changeup was decent and
that's about it. Tejeda threw the ball very well and the rest of
the bullpen did the rest."

Butler hit his 43rd double with two out in the third and scored
on Mike Jacobs' single. He added RBI doubles in the seventh and
eighth.

"Before this week, I felt like whenever I was squaring balls up
I was hitting them at people," said Butler, who raised his
average to .304. "I was swinging at pitches out of the zone. But
you go through that in a 162-game season. I'm not doing anything
different. I'm just focused and locked in more, looking for my
pitch and being selective."

Tigers manager Jim Leyland was impressed with the slugger.

"He's a tremendous young hitter," he said. "He's one of the best
young hitters in the American League."

Detroit loaded the bases with one out in the ninth on a walk and
two singles off Jamey Wright, but Joakim Soria finished for his
24th save in 27 chances. Alex Avila hit a sacrifice fly before
another pinch hitter, Marcus Thames, flied out to end the game.

The Royals loaded the bases with two out in the second on a
single and two walks, but Verlander struck out Yuniesky
Betancourt swinging on a 100-mph fastball.

NOTES: The AL Central-leading Tigers hit town with a six-game
winning streak but have lost two straight to spot starters. ...
The Royals are 19 for 102 with the bases loaded this year. ...
Verlander's other loss to the Royals was a 2-0 setback.