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Rockies-Royals Preview

May 21, 2010 - 4:18 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Colorado (19-21) at Kansas City (16-25), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Colorado Rockies usually don't need much production at the plate in games that Ubaldo Jimenez starts. With Jason Hammel on the mound, their lineup might need a greater sense of urgency.

After snapping a skid with yet another outstanding performance from their ace, the Rockies look to give Hammel some support as they open interleague play Friday night against the Kansas City Royals.

Colorado (20-21) ended a three-game losing streak Thursday night with a 4-0 win over Houston. Jimenez pitched seven innings, lowering his major league-leading ERA to 0.99.

Jimenez's effort was a big boost for a Rockies team that scored three runs or fewer in each of its previous four contests. Colorado, though, may not be able to afford another subpar game at the plate, as it starts this three-game series by giving the ball to Hammel (1-2, 7.71 ERA).

If Hammel had enough innings to qualify, his ERA would rank last in the majors. He has been limited to five starts due to a strained right groin that landed him on the 15-day disabled list April 27.

The right-hander, though, returned Saturday night and earned his first win of the season, allowing three runs and striking out a season-high seven in seven innings of a 4-3 victory over Washington.

Hammel has not received a decision in one start and three relief appearances versus the Royals (17-25), posting a 4.32 ERA.

Kansas City will counter with Brian Bannister (2-3, 5.09), who is 2-1 with a 3.70 ERA in four starts at home, including a win in his last outing. The right-hander yielded three runs in six innings of a 5-3 victory over Chicago on Sunday.

Bannister is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts against the Rockies.

The Royals have a 3.24 ERA in winning six of their last eight. They moved out of last place in the AL Central with a 9-3 win over Cleveland on Thursday.

"That's nice," said manager Ned Yost, who is 5-2 since taking over for the fired Trey Hillman. "That's good. My focus is playing good every single day. That stuff takes care of itself. Our goal is to play good fundamental baseball. We've done that this week, without a doubt."

Kansas City has been hitting well, scoring 17 runs over its last two games and reaching double figures in hits each of the past five contests.

Third baseman Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer versus the Indians. He has seven homers after hitting a career-best 11 last year, his first full season as a starter.

Callaspo, though, is batting .200 with one homer in 26 interleague games.

The Rockies were the NL's best team in interleague play last year, going 11-4. They haven't faced the Royals since getting swept in a three-game series at Kansas City from June 23-25, 2008.