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Royals-Indians Preview

Aug 28, 2010 - 4:30 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Kansas City (54-73) at Cleveland (51-76), 7:05 p.m. EDT

After posting a season high for runs to open their series with the Kansas City Royals, the Cleveland Indians might find it tough to produce against Zack Greinke.

The Indians try for a third straight victory while looking to beat Greinke for the first time in almost two years Saturday night at Progressive Field.

Cleveland (52-76) hit three three-run homers and totaled 17 hits during a 15-4 rout of Kansas City on Friday. After losing five straight, the Indians have won two in a row for the first time since a three-game streak July 31-Aug 2.

"Baseball is tough to predict," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "We're happy to enjoy it when it comes around our way."

Jayson Nix, Matt LaPorta and Chris Gimenez each went deep as the Indians scored eight more runs than they did in their previous six contests. Nix is 6 for 11 in his last three games after going 0 for 12 in his previous three.

"Once you see somebody get a big knock, you want to hop in there and keep it going," said second baseman Jason Donald, who had four RBIs.

Cleveland has failed to generate very much offense against Greinke (8-11, 3.83 ERA) in recent years.

The right-hander is 7-7 with a 3.15 ERA in 20 starts versus Cleveland, but 5-0 with a 2.63 ERA in his last eight since losing to the Indians on Sept. 7, 2008. He is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA this season, with both starts at home, and allowed one run in six innings of a 2-1 win Aug. 17.

Greinke has been solid of late, going 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his last three outings. He allowed two runs and struck out nine in eight innings of a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

Cleveland's scheduled starter Jeanmar Gomez (3-2, 3.62) allowed two runs in six innings against Greinke for his first career loss last week. The rookie right-hander looks to avoid a third straight defeat after giving up a season-high eight runs and 11 hits in three innings of an 8-1 loss at Detroit on Sunday.

"You can't expect a kid to have his best stuff every time," Acta said after the 22-year-old's sixth career outing. "That's going to happen."

Gregor Blanco, who went 1 for 3 off Gomez, had four hits Friday for the Royals (54-74). The center fielder is 10 for 16 against the Indians this season.

Losers in three of four, the Royals hope to have Billy Butler in the lineup after he missed Friday's game with a sore right hand.

"He's been playing with it for weeks and it's just time to let him heal and maybe have a big September," manager Ned Yost said.

Butler is 10 for 28 with five doubles and six RBIs against the Indians this season.