In his first at-bat of Wednesday's game against Kansas City, Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera flew out to center field. Cabrera came to the plate in the top of the first against Royals starter Luis Mendoza. His fly out ended the Tigers' half of the first.

Cabrera's batting average dropped to .330 with the out, but he remains six points ahead of Los Angeles center fielder Mike Trout, who is 1 for 2 so far in the Angels' game with Seattle. Sources widely reported that should Cabrera go hitless, Trout would need at least four hits to win the batting title.

Cabrera's primary competition in home runs and RBI, Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton, has already finished his season and was unable to match Cabrera in either category. Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson, who has already hit one home run tonight, remains an outside threat to pass Cabrera in home runs, but would need three more round-trippers to catch him.

The Tigers and Royals are scoreless in the bottom of the first inning.