Kansas City Royals vs Los Angeles Angels MLB Live Streaming June 10, 2011 League Baseball Radio Commentary Station Live 360 Gamecast Espn Experts Review: Despite struggling at Kansas City this season, a visit from the Royals might be what the Los Angeles Angels need to end their latest skid.
Los Angeles (30-34) totaled 10 runs while dropping the final five contests on a six-game homestand against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay. The Angels have not scored more than three runs in a game while losing seven of eight.
"We need to get our act together on the offensive side," manager Mike Scioscia said. "This is about on-field chemistry and we need to find it. Until we do find it, it's going to be a rough go."
After a 10-8 win at Kansas City on May 30, Los Angeles was outscored 9-3 while losing the next two there.
The Angels are 2-5 against the Royals (27-36) in 2011 -- all at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City, however, has been outscored 39-19 while dropping four straight and eight of 10 at Anaheim.
Though the Royals won 3-2 on Thursday to split a four-game set with Toronto, they've dropped 19 of 26 overall and seven of eight on the road.
None of that provides solace for Scioscia, whose club has not lost six straight since a seven-game skid April 30-May 6, 2010.
"It doesn't matter who's coming in next," Scioscia said. "We've got to play better baseball. That's the bottom line."
Scioscia could have regular cleanup hitter Torii Hunter back in the No. 2 spot after he went 2 for 5 there in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rays on Wednesday. Hunter, who has hit four of his eight homers against the Royals, is batting .238 but was 5 for 13 against Tampa Bay.
One of the few Angels hitting well, Bobby Abreu had a three-run double Wednesday and is batting .471 with seven doubles and seven RBIs over his last nine games. However, he's 0 for 12 with eight strikeouts against scheduled Royals starter Jeff Francis (2-6, 4.52 ERA).
Francis is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts versus Los Angeles this year.
The left-hander allowed four runs in seven innings of a 6-0 loss to Minnesota on Sunday.
Los Angeles counters with Ervin Santana (3-5, 4.30), who has a 6.39 ERA without a decision in two starts against the Royals in 2011. He allowed six runs and walked four over six innings in the Angels' May 30 win at Kansas City.
The right-hander is 2-2 with a 5.13 ERA at home against the Royals.
Kansas City rookie first baseman Eric Hosmer is 2 for 3 with a double and home run against Santana, who allowed three runs in seven innings of a 3-2 loss to the Yankees on Saturday.
Hosmer, who had two hits with an RBI on Thursday, went 6 for 13 (.462) with six RBIs against the Angels last week.
Mike Moustakas, another highly touted Royals prospect, is expected to make his major league debut at third base Friday. The Los Angeles native was hitting .356 in his last 10 games for Triple-A Omaha and .287 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs overall.
"He's been hot," manager Ned Yost said. "Time's right."
Struggling infielder Mike Aviles will be optioned to Omaha.
10:05 PM ET, June 10, 2011
Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California
The Angels hope to continue their recent home success against the Royals as they try to avoid a season-high sixth consecutive loss Friday night.Regular Season Series
Kansas City leads 5-2 (as of Fri 6/10)
Thu 3/31 LAA 4, @KC 2 Recap
Fri 4/1 @KC 2, LAA 1 Recap
Sat 4/2 @KC 5, LAA 4 Recap
Sun 4/3 @KC 12, LAA 9 Recap
Mon 5/30 LAA 10, @KC 8 Recap
Tue 5/31 @KC 7, LAA 3 Recap
Wed 6/1 @KC 2, LAA 0 Recap
Jun 10, 2011 KC (Francis) @ LAA (Santana) 10:05 PM ET
Jun 11, 2011 KC (Paulino) @ LAA (Pineiro) 9:05 PM ET
Jun 12, 2011 KC (Mazzaro) @ LAA (Chatwood) 3:35 PM ET
Los Angeles (30-34) totaled 10 runs while dropping the final five contests on a six-game homestand against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay. The Angels have not scored more than three runs in a game while losing seven of eight.
"We need to get our act together on the offensive side," manager Mike Scioscia said. "This is about on-field chemistry and we need to find it. Until we do find it, it's going to be a rough go."
After a 10-8 win at Kansas City on May 30, Los Angeles was outscored 9-3 while losing the next two there.
The Angels are 2-5 against the Royals (27-36) in 2011 -- all at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City, however, has been outscored 39-19 while dropping four straight and eight of 10 at Anaheim.
Though the Royals won 3-2 on Thursday to split a four-game set with Toronto, they've dropped 19 of 26 overall and seven of eight on the road.
None of that provides solace for Scioscia, whose club has not lost six straight since a seven-game skid April 30-May 6, 2010.
"It doesn't matter who's coming in next," Scioscia said. "We've got to play better baseball. That's the bottom line."
Scioscia could have regular cleanup hitter Torii Hunter back in the No. 2 spot after he went 2 for 5 there in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Rays on Wednesday. Hunter, who has hit four of his eight homers against the Royals, is batting .238 but was 5 for 13 against Tampa Bay.
One of the few Angels hitting well, Bobby Abreu had a three-run double Wednesday and is batting .471 with seven doubles and seven RBIs over his last nine games. However, he's 0 for 12 with eight strikeouts against scheduled Royals starter Jeff Francis (2-6, 4.52 ERA).
Francis is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in two starts versus Los Angeles this year.
The left-hander allowed four runs in seven innings of a 6-0 loss to Minnesota on Sunday.
Los Angeles counters with Ervin Santana (3-5, 4.30), who has a 6.39 ERA without a decision in two starts against the Royals in 2011. He allowed six runs and walked four over six innings in the Angels' May 30 win at Kansas City.
The right-hander is 2-2 with a 5.13 ERA at home against the Royals.
Kansas City rookie first baseman Eric Hosmer is 2 for 3 with a double and home run against Santana, who allowed three runs in seven innings of a 3-2 loss to the Yankees on Saturday.
Hosmer, who had two hits with an RBI on Thursday, went 6 for 13 (.462) with six RBIs against the Angels last week.
Mike Moustakas, another highly touted Royals prospect, is expected to make his major league debut at third base Friday. The Los Angeles native was hitting .356 in his last 10 games for Triple-A Omaha and .287 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs overall.
"He's been hot," manager Ned Yost said. "Time's right."
Struggling infielder Mike Aviles will be optioned to Omaha.