Braves at Royals
Atlanta's Jason Heyward has turned around a miserable season and looks to keep performing at a high level as the Braves close a two-game interleague series against the host Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Heyward hit the tiebreaking homer in Tuesday’s 4-3 victory and also had a two-run double for his 11th multi-hit effort of the month. Heyward is batting .297 in June after entering the month with an anemic .146 average.
Kansas City's Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer on Tuesday, his third blast in 11 games after going deep just once over his first 71 contests. Atlanta’s Justin Upton (hand) was back in the lineup after missing two games and served as the designated hitter. The Braves have a six-game lead over the Washington Nationals in the National League East, while third-place Kansas City has lost five of six to slip 6 1/2 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), FSN (Kansas City)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves LH Mike Minor (8-3, 2.89 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (2-4, 4.30)
Minor lost 1-0 to the Royals on April 17, when he gave up one run and five hits in six innings. He won five straight decisions before losing to the New York Mets in his last start, giving up four runs and nine hits in six frames. Minor has pitched at least six innings in 14 of his 15 starts.
Mendoza has struggled at home with an 0-2 mark and 5.88 ERA in five starts. He lost to the Cleveland Indians in his last outing, when he gave up four runs and four hits in five innings. Mendoza has won just one of his last seven starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Heyward’s decisive homer was his first against a left-hander this season. It also was the first to a left-handed hitter allowed by Royals LHP Tim Collins this season.
2. Royals OF Alex Gordon has a 42-game homerless streak dating back to May 9.
3. Braves closer Craig Kimbrel escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth for his 11th straight save. He has converted 22-of-25 chances.