Royals at Angels
Hits were aplenty in the series opener and the teams look to tee off again on Tuesday, when the Los Angeles Angels host the Kansas City Royals for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Royals collected 12 hits on Monday while the Angels registered 14, including three during a three-run eighth inning that gave them a 9-6 victory.
Jefry Marte went 4-for-4 with a solo homer while Mike Trout and Justin Upton each recorded three hits and two RBIs for Los Angeles, which has won four of its last five at home. Trout has hit safely in seven of his last eight games and recorded three multi-hit performances in his last four contests. Jon Jay led the way for Kansas City on Monday with three hits and an RBI while Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas each went 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Jorge Soler has registered seven RBIs in as many games after delivering a two-run double in the series opener.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (1-1, 2.13 ERA) vs. Angels LH Andrew Heaney (2-4, 3.66)
After beginning his major-league career this season with 21 relief appearances, Keller made his first start on Wednesday, allowing one run and three hits over three innings in a no-decision against Minnesota. The 22-year-old native of Georgia worked three frames once earlier this year, notching the win at Cleveland on May 11 after giving up two hits and a walk while striking out two. Keller pitched an inning of relief against the Angels on April 13, when he yielded one run and two hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Heaney is coming off a loss at Detroit on Thursday in which he was tagged for five runs and eight hits over five innings. The 27-year-old from Oklahoma gave up a total of six earned runs over his previous six turns but issued three or more walks in three of those outings. Heaney made his only career start against the Royals in his season debut on April 13, when he escaped with a no-decision after surrendering four runs - three earned - and seven hits over five frames at Kansas City.
WALK-OFFS
1. Marte's four-hit performance on Monday matched his output from his previous 19 games.
2. Jay has gone 6-for-13 with a homer and three RBIs over his last three contests.
3. Los Angeles 2B Ian Kinsler is hitless in eight at-bats over his last two contests following a six-game hitting streak during which he went 12-for-24.