Angels at Royals
The Kansas City Royals thought they solved their problems at home during their last series at Kauffman Stadium, but the issues persisted upon their return from a 3-7 road trip. Kansas City looks to even its three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels when the teams meet on Saturday.
The Royals, who lost seven straight at home before sweeping a three-game set against Cleveland prior to their lengthy trek, managed only five hits as they dropped a 5-1 decision in the series opener on Friday. Adalberto Mondesi drove in the lone run with a sacrifice fly, giving him five RBIs in his last two games and tying him with Alex Gordon for the team lead with 21. The Angels hope to make it three wins in a row after watching the first eight batters in the lineup notch at least one hit on Friday. Albert Pujols belted a two-run homer to increase his career total to 1,995 RBIs, moving him past Lou Gehrig for fourth place and putting him one behind Barry Bonds for third on the all-time list as per the Elias Sports Bureau.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jaime Barria (2-1, 4.26 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (0-2, 4.50)
Barria is coming off a victory over Seattle on Sunday in which he allowed one run and four hits over five innings after Hansel Robles started and worked one frame. The 22-year-old Panamanian suffered the loss in his only start of the season on April 16, when he yielded four runs in five innings. Barria will be facing Kansas City for the first time in his brief career.
Lopez remains in search of his first win of the year after escaping with a no-decision against the Yankees in New York on Friday. The 26-year-old Puerto Rican surrendered five runs - four earned - and eight hits over seven innings in the contest. Lopez has yet to pitch against Los Angeles in his career.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Angels announced that RHP Griffin Canning will make his major-league debut on Tuesday, when he makes the start against Tampa Bay.
2. Los Angeles placed Cody Allen (spine) on the 10-day injured list and optioned fellow RHP Matt Ramsey to Triple-A Salt Lake prior to the series opener while recalling RHP Luke Bard from the Bees and activating LHP Tyler Skaggs (ankle) from the IL.
3. Kansas City placed 1B Lucas Duda (back) on the 10-day IL, activated LHP Danny Duffy (shoulder) from the IL and recalled 3B Kelvin Gutierrez from Triple-A Omaha before Friday's contest.