Royals at Indians
The Kansas City Royals are one defeat from tying the second-longest losing streak in franchise history. The Royals will try to snap a 12-game skid when they face the host Cleveland Indians in the second of a three-game series Wednesday night. The Indians pulled off a three-game sweep in Kansas City two weeks ago to trigger an 0-10 homestand for the Royals and have won 18 of the last 24 meetings between the teams, including five in a row.
Cleveland turned its season around in Kansas City and now has won eight of its last 10 to move from last place in the AL Central to within a half-game of the division lead. It was only the second win in six home games for the Indians, who won the series opener despite stranding 13 runners. Jack Hannahan had a pair of hits and drove in two runs, giving him eight RBIs during a seven-game batting streak. Asdrubal Cabrera returned from a six-game bereavement absence with a pair of hits.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSKC (Kansas City), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Luke Hochevar (1-1, ERA 5.87) vs. Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (2-0, ERA 4.00)
Hochevar had a nightmarish outing against the Indians in Kansas City's home opener. He was battered for seven runs in the first inning and knocked out of the game in the fourth by a line drive to his left ankle. He came back on six days' rest and held Toronto to one run and two hits in five innings before the ankle flared up again. He’s 4-8 with a 5.81 ERA in 12 starts against Cleveland.
Jimenez got a no-decision in a brilliant season debut and has won his last two starts despite struggling in each. He lasted only five innings against the Royals, allowing four runs on nine hits, and limited light-hitting Oakland to two runs in six innings despite walking five. Jimenez averaged nearly a strikeout an inning in his stellar 2010 season, but he has as many walks (11) as strikeouts through his first three starts.
WALK-OFFS:
1. The Royals have been held to three runs or fewer in eight of their last nine.
2. Hannahan is 7-for-13 with two homers and six RBIs against Hochevar.
3. Kansas City last lost 13 in a row in May 2006.