Royals at Athletics
The Oakland Athletics have put a rough two-game set in Texas behind them and look to continue their success against the Kansas City Royals this season when they host the second contest of their four-game series Friday. Oakland was outscored 15-6 while losing a pair to the Rangers but bounced back to top Kansas City 4-1 in Thursday's series opener.
Matt Chapman snapped a 1-1 tie with an RBI double and came around to score later in a three-run sixth inning for the Athletics, who recorded 25 runs and allowed six while winning two of three in Kansas City last weekend. Matt Olson continues to drive in runs for Oakland as he belted a solo homer on Thursday to give him 12 RBIs over his last seven contests. The Royals remain in search of a victory on their seven-game California trip as they were swept in their three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels before dropping the opener in Oakland. Kansas City registered only four hits in the setback, with Alcides Escobar's homer accounting for Kansas City's offense as it lost for the sixth time in seven overall games this month.
TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jakob Junis (5-5, 3.62 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Frankie Montas (2-0, 0.64)
Junis looks to avenge a home loss to Oakland on Sunday in which he gave up three runs and six hits over 7 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old native of Illinois, who registered a season-high nine strikeouts in the setback, has lost two straight turns and three of his last four decisions. Junis is 1-1 with a 3.14 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance against the Athletics in his brief career.
Montas is hoping for a repeat performance after scattering seven hits over eight scoreless innings in a win at Kansas City on June 1. The 25-year-old Dominican also was impressive in his season debut on May 27, when he limited Arizona to one run and three hits in six frames to notch the victory. In addition to last week's start, Montas made a relief appearance against the Royals last season, allowing a solo homer and striking out one in one inning.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics RHP Santiago Casilla (shoulder) could be activated from the disabled list prior to Friday's contest.
2. Kansas City recalled OF Paulo Orlando from Triple-A Omaha to fill the roster spot created by Wednesday's trade that sent OF Jon Jay to Arizona.
3. Oakland activated RHP Paul Blackburn (forearm) from the 60-day disabled list, optioned C Bruce Maxwell to Triple-A Nashville and transferred OF Boog Powell (knee) from the 10-day to the 60-day DL.