Angels at Royals
A career performance by Hunter Dozier on Saturday allowed the Kansas City Royals to even their three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels at one win apiece. The Royals attempt to win their second straight home series when they host the Angels for the finale on Sunday.
Dozier set career highs with two triples, four hits and four RBIs as Kansas City rode a six-run third inning to a 9-4 victory in the middle contest of the series. The 27-year-old third baseman is riding a six-game hitting streak during which he has gone 11-for-19 with two home runs and six RBIs while Adalberto Mondesi has driven in six runs during his three-game RBI streak. Mike Trout ended his seven-game RBI drought by plating two runs and Tommy La Stella also notched two RBIs for the second straight contest as Los Angeles was denied a third consecutive triumph. Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun has recorded back-to-back two-hit performances and is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak during which he has raised his batting average from .175 to .210.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Matt Harvey (0-2, 8.03 ERA) vs. Royals RH Homer Bailey (2-2, 5.63)
Harvey's last start was his best since his debut with the Angels on March 29 as he limited the New York Yankees to two runs and three hits over six innings on Monday but settled for a no-decision. It was a much-needed solid effort from the 30-year-old native of Connecticut, who surrendered 19 runs and 22 hits over 12 2/3 frames while going 0-2 in his previous three turns. Harvey has gone 0-1 while yielding seven runs and 14 hits over 10 2/3 innings in two career regular-season starts versus Kansas City.
Bailey's string of consecutive strong starts ended at two as he surrendered four runs on three hits and four walks in one-plus inning of a loss at Tampa Bay on Tuesday. The 32-year-old Texan was coming off back-to-back impressive outings in which he gave up one run and five hits over 13 total frames. Bailey made his only career start against the Angels on June 14, 2007, when he was tagged for five runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings in a no-decision while with Cincinnati.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals 3B Kelvin Gutierrez made his major-league debut on Saturday and went 1-for-3 with a two-run single and a walk.
2. Los Angeles sent LHP Sam Freeman outright to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, three days after designating him for assignment.
3. Kansas City recalled Ben Lively from Triple-A Omaha and optioned fellow RHP Heath Fillmyer to the Storm Chasers.