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Royals eye rare series win

Jun 1, 2008 - 1:24 PM Cleveland (25-30) at Kansas City (22-34) 2:10 p.m. EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- After snapping their 12-game losing streak on Saturday, the Kansas City Royals attempt to string consecutive wins one day later for the first time in over two weeks when they meet the Cleveland Indians in the rubber match of their three-game set.

After committing a baserunning blunder that cost the Royals an opportunity to break the losing streak one game earlier on Friday, David DeJesus hit a solo home run and added an RBI double off Indians ace C.C. Sabathia in Kansas City's 4-2 win.

Another victory on Sunday would give the Royals two straight wins for the first time since winning five in a row from May 11-16 and their first series win since defeating Florida in two of three games from May 16-18.

In an attempt to do so, Kansas City will turn to Brian Bannister (4-6, 4.97 ERA), who will attempt to collect his first win in four starts. The lefthander allowed three runs and seven hits over five innings in a 4-3, 12-inning loss to Minnesota on Tuesday.

While not on par with Kansas City, Cleveland will try to halt a stretch of 11 losses over its last 14 games when it sends Paul Byrd (2-4, 4.10) to the mound.

The righthander, who has posted just one win apiece in April and May, will look to start off June off right after being ineffective in his last outing. He permitted three runs and a season-high 10 hits on Monday in the Indians' 6-3, 12-inning loss to the Chicago White Sox.