Royals at Mariners
The Kansas City Royals staged a late rally in the series opener to even out their record through the first four contests of their six-game road trip. They vie for a third straight victory when they visit the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.
Jorge Soler turned a deficit into a lead with his 19th homer of the season, a two-run shot in the eighth inning of Kansas City's 6-4 triumph. Jorge Bonifacio quickly has become a contributor for the Royals, going 4-for-9 with two doubles, three RBIs and two runs in his last two contests after being kept in check in his season debut on Friday. Tom Murphy led the offensive charge for the Mariners on Monday as he went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer. The 28-year-old has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, recording six home runs and 14 RBIs in that span.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, ROOT Northwest (Seattle)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Homer Bailey (5-6, 5.37 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Yusei Kikuchi (3-4, 4.78)
Bailey ended his five-start winless streak on Thursday, when he limited Detroit to two hits and three walks over six scoreless innings en route to his first win since May 10. The 33-year-old Texan continues to keep the ball in the park as he has served up just one home run over his last four turns and a total of eight over 67 frames this season. Bailey made his lone career start against Seattle on April 8, suffering the loss after surrendering seven runs and eight hits - three homers - in five innings.
After three consecutive losses in which he was battered for 18 runs (16 earned) and 29 hits over 10 innings, Kikuchi bounced back at Minnesota on Thursday, allowing one run and six hits over five frames in a no-decision. The 27-year-old native of Japan served up seven homers over his last four turns after yielding a total of three - all in one game - over his previous six outings. Kikuchi's only career start against the Royals took place on April 10, when he gave up three runs and five hits over six innings in a no-decision.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mariners are 4-1 against the Royals this season, with the road team winning each contest.
2. Seattle OF Mallex Smith has recorded at least one hit in 15 of his last 16 games.
3. Kansas City sent 3B Hunter Dozier (chest) to Double-A Northwest Arkansas for a rehab assignment.