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Rockies-Royals Preview

May 23, 2010 - 1:50 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Colorado (20-22) at Kansas City (18-25), 2:10 p.m. EDT

Zack Greinke has suffered from a lack of run support from the Kansas City Royals this season. After being shut out the day before, the Royals are just hoping to provide him with at least one run in his next outing.

Greinke takes the mound Sunday against the Colorado Rockies as the Royals go for the series win.

Kansas City (18-26) had put together a nice stretch over the last week, winning seven of nine before suffering a 3-0 loss Saturday. The Royals were held to six hits after scoring 26 runs in the previous three games, including nine the night before against the Rockies (21-22).

Jose Guillen, who hit two home runs on Friday, went 1 for 4 Saturday.

"You give up one run in six innings and lose but, you know (Colorado starter Jeff) Francis is a good pitcher," said Royals starting pitcher Kyle Davies, who was charged with the loss. "He fooled us every which way possible."

Guillen will try to bounce back Sunday and help the team provide more offense for Greinke (1-4, 2.72 ERA), whose 2.72 runs of support per game is among the lowest in the majors.

After the Royals scored six runs in Greinke's victory over Cleveland on May 13, they failed to get much going to help him against the Orioles on Tuesday. Greinke gave up two runs and four hits while striking out six in seven innings of the 4-3, 10-inning loss.

Greinke, however, told the Royals' official website that the blame for the loss fell on him and not the lack of offense.

"They gave me three runs to work with, which was plenty," the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner said. "I didn't do my job either."

The right-hander is 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA in one start and one relief appearance against the Rockies. He hasn't faced them since 2008, but won two of his three interleague starts last season.

Aaron Cook (1-3, 5.13) will try to end his road woes when he takes the mound for the Rockies, one day after Francis scattered five hits in 6 1-3 solid innings.

The right-hander is 0-3 with a 6.84 ERA in five road starts this season and hasn't won away from home since beating the Padres on July 16.

He pitched well enough to earn the victory in his last start, but did not earn a decision after giving up two runs - one earned - in seven innings of a 4-2, 11-inning loss to the Cubs on Monday.

Cook has won his last two interleague road starts, defeating the Angels and Athletics last season. He also defeated the Rays at home during interleague play last year. In his only start against the Royals, Cook gave up four runs in 5 1-3 innings of a 4-2 loss.

Jason Giambi is 4 for 16 lifetime against Greinke with three home runs, although he has only one home run this season and none in the last four games.