KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There seemed like no chance Jace Jung was going to score on the play at the plate.

Except he did.

It was like how a month ago the Detroit Tigers had no chance to make the postseason — but after Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Kansas City Royals to sweep the three-game series at Kauffman Stadium, they're only a half-game behind the Minnesota Twins for the third and final spot in the American League wild-card race.

There are nine games remaining.

The Twins lost to the Cleveland Guardians, 5-4, on a walk-off single in extra innings, allowing three runs in the bottom of the 10th. Meanwhile, the Tigers (80-73) have won four games in a row, along with a 25-10 record in their last 35 games.

As for Jung's play, another aggressive send from third-base coach Joey Cora created a memorable moment in the third inning as the Tigers continue their improbable push for the postseason.

With two runners on, Trey Sweeney shot a two-strike slider from right-hander Alec Marsh into the right-field corner.

Spencer Torkelson scored easily, but Jung — not known for his speed — had to hustle to score from first base. The throw from the right fielder Hunter Renfroe to catcher Salvador Pérez beat Jung to the plate, but Jung avoided the tag with an athletic slide.

He rolled out of his sideways slide, popped up to his feet and flexed in celebration. He left his helmet behind and bounced to the dugout, where he was greeted with high-fives from teammates and coaches.

The successful slide put the Tigers ahead, 4-1.

[ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]

Riley Greene homers

The Tigers scored their first run (and tied the game) on an infield single from Jake Rogers in the second inning, but the real damage occurred in the three-run third inning.

Before Jung's slide, Riley Greene demolished a middle-middle fastball from Marsh for a solo home run. He hit the ball 427 feet to right field with a 112.1 mph exit velocity.

The Tigers took a 2-1 lead.

Greene has 24 homers in 128 games.

Tarik Skubal takes down Royals

Left-hander Tarik Skubal, the frontrunner to win the AL Cy Young Award, allowed one run on three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts across five innings, throwing 95 pitches.

All three hits occurred in the first inning.

The Royals jumped out in front, 1-0, on Yuli Gurriel's hard-hit grounder that Jung couldn't stop at third base, but after that, Skubal mowed down the Royals in his final four innings.

The 27-year-old saved his best for last, striking out Pérez on a down-and-in changeup to win a seven-pitch battle and strand two runners. He roared in celebration after the strikeout.

Skubal has a 2.48 ERA in 30 starts.

The Royals trimmed their deficit to 4-2 with Pérez's RBI single off right-handed reliever Brenan Hanifee in the eighth inning, but left-handed reliever Sean Guenther took over and immediately induced a double play, followed by an inning-ending flyout.

The combination of Guenther and right-handed reliever Will Vest shut down the Royals in the ninth inning, ending the game.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers sweep Kansas City Royals with 4-2 win, half-game back