Royals at Athletics
The Oakland Athletics will try to bounce back from a shutout loss and claim another series win over the visiting Kansas City Royals when the teams complete a four-game set Sunday afternoon. Danny Duffy and two relievers combined on a four-hit shutout in the Royals' 2-0 win in the third game of the set Saturday.
It was Kansas City's second win in six matchups with Oakland - all of which have taken place in June. Alex Gordon slugged a solo homer to back Duffy's dominant effort as the Royals snapped a six-game losing streak. They'll aim for their first winning streak of the month behind right-hander Brad Keller, who opposes Sean Manaea for the Athletics. Matt Chapman had three of Oakland's four hits in Saturday's loss and is 10-for-22 in the six matchups with Kansas City this month.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (1-2, 2.12 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Sean Manaea (5-6, 3.59)
Keller is making the most of his opportunity in the rotation, allowing two runs over 7 1/3 innings over back-to-back starts. That comes after 21 relief appearances in which he posted a 2.01 ERA. The 22-year-old, who is facing Oakland for the first time, has allowed two runs on seven hits in 12 2/3 innings during day games.
Manaea failed to get through six innings in each of his last four starts after doing so in seven of his first nine. He is winless during the four-game slump while sporting an ERA of 7.58 and the 26-year-old gave up at least four runs in three consecutive home starts. Manaea threw five innings and combined with three relievers in a four-hit shutout at Kansas City in their only prior matchup in 2016.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals RF Jorge Soler (toe) was out of the lineup and is day-to-day.
2. Athletics 2B Jed Lowrie is 0-for-12 with five strikeouts over his last three games.
3. Oakland is 25-18 when the opposition starts a right-hander, compared to 8-14 against lefties.