Kansas City, Mo. ? Troubling news about Mike Sweeney’s ailing back overshadowed Kansas City’s victory Thursday night.

After the Royals beat the Detroit Tigers, 3-2, trainer Nick Swartz said that Sweeney had suffered a “serious setback” and would see a specialist next week in California.

“Mike woke up today and had increased irritation in that neck region,” Swartz said. “When he made a movement he felt a sharp sensation down the (left arm) like he did when he did it on the swing.”

Sweeney, who was among the league leaders in average and RBIs when he went out, will begin taking cortisone injections before seeing Dr. Robert Watkins, a sports spine specialist, next week.

The All-Star first baseman, the Royals captain and leading run-producer, has missed 15 games. His progress had been encouraging.

“I don’t anticipate Mike Sweeney doing much of anything on the upcoming road trip,” Swartz said. “Just looking at the big picture, our biggest concern is getting him ready by the 17th of July when we start on the second phase of our season.”

Thursday, Ken Harvey drove in the tiebreaking run in the sixth inning and Jeremy Affeldt pitched seven strong innings to lead the Royals past Detroit and make Jeremy Bonderman the major leagues’ first 13-game loser.

Affeldt (5-4) gave up five hits and two runs in seven innings, helping the Royals improve to 6-0 against the Tigers. It was the left-hander’s first career victory in 11 starts at Kauffman Stadium. He walked one and struck out two.

“I had a pretty good fastball all night,” Affeldt said. “I got away with some pitches, too.”

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Mike MacDougal pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Curtis Leskanic pitched the eighth for the Royals in his first appearance since being acquired Wednesday from Milwaukee and struck out the side.

The 20-year-old Bonderman (2-13), who’d been tied with teammates Adam Bernero and Mike Maroth with

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12 losses, made his sixth straight solid start but lost his ninth straight decision.

He went 6 1/3 innings and gave up three runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.

“Bonderman has great stuff,” said Harvey, who struck out his first two at-bats. “I don’t care what his record is. I don’t care what his team’s record is. He was really sharp. He just hung one breaking ball and I was able to capitalize on it.”

Bonderman, who entered the game with the lowest run support (2.28 runs per nine innings) among major-league starters, took a two-hitter and a 2-0 lead into the fifth, but Michael Tucker led off with his 11th home run.

“I am just trying to find a way to win right now,” Bonderman said. “Some guys pitch on the right day and I have to find my right day. I should have won that game. I had a two-run lead in the fifth inning.”

After Tucker’s home run, Bonderman hit Angel Berroa, who went to second on a stolen base, took third on Brent Mayne’s single and scored to make it 2-2 on a double-play grounder.

Carlos Beltran singled in the sixth inning, stole second, and scored the tiebreaking run on Harvey’s single.

Craig Monroe handed Bonderman a 1-0 lead with his eighth home run leading off the second, a 425-foot shot that carried into the water display behind left field. In the fifth, A. J. Hinch singled on an 0-2 pitch and scored on Andres Torres’ double.

Notes: Kansas City 3B Joe Randa sat out his second straight game because of tightness on his right side. … Bernero will be skipped in the rotation next week and replaced by reliever Willfredo Ledezma. Bernero will move to the bullpen … The Royals put RHP Kyle Snyder on the 15-day DL because of tightness in his shoulder and recalled RHP Brad Voyles from Triple-A Omaha. … When Bonderman struck out the first two hitters of the game, he became the fifth under-21 pitcher to strike out 70 in a season for the Tigers. … Berroa was hit by a pitch for the league-leading 12th time in the fifth inning.