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Royals-Tigers Preview

Sep 20, 2010 - 5:49 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Kansas City (60-87) at Detroit (74-74), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Zack Greinke has traditionally fared well over his career against the Detroit Tigers, but in two tries this season he's come up empty.

Greinke will get one more chance to beat the Tigers this year when he and the Kansas City Royals open a three-game series at Comerica Park on Monday.

Greinke (9-12, 3.90 ERA) is 11-5 with a 2.62 ERA in his career against Detroit, his most wins and second-lowest ERA against any AL opponent. However, he doesn't have a decision in two starts against the Tigers this season - both Kansas City (61-87) losses - and has posted a 3.65 ERA.

He gave up four runs in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-5, 11-inning home loss to Detroit on Sept. 3. It marked the most runs Greinke has given up against the Tigers in their last eight meetings.

The right-hander is looking for back-to-back victories after snapping a personal four-start winless streak against Oakland on Tuesday. Greinke gave up three runs in seven innings of an 11-3 win.

The 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner is 6-3 with a 2.48 ERA in 11 career starts at Comerica Park. He's pitched 12 scoreless innings in his last two outings there.

The Tigers (75-74) will look to cause more trouble for Greinke after sweeping a three-game set in Chicago over the weekend. They concluded the series with a 9-7 win in 11 innings Sunday - their 10th victory in 16 games overall - after Gerald Laird hit a tiebreaking single to help Detroit win despite blowing a four-run lead in the ninth.

"It was an all-around fun game to be a part of," Laird said. "I'm just glad its over."

Miguel Cabrera went 0 for 5 for a second straight game. The AL MVP candidate is hitting .095 the last five games with eight strikeouts.

He's had recent success against the Royals, though, hitting .357 with 13 RBIs on the season. He is 7 for 25 with no extra-base hits lifetime off Greinke.

Kansas City avoided being swept by Cleveland over the weekend, winning 6-4 Sunday. Luke Hochevar picked up his first win since May 26 and Yuniesky Betancourt stole home as part of a double steal during a four-run second inning.

"Yuney did a great job," said center fielder Mitch Maier, who made up the other half of the double steal. "Soon as he saw the pitcher turn his back and run toward to me, he took off."

Detroit will hand the ball to Rick Porcello (9-11, 5.10), who has won his last four starts while posting a 2.48 ERA and lasting at least seven innings each time. The right-hander gave up three runs and four hits in eight innings of a 6-3 win over the White Sox on Thursday.

Porcello's winning streak began against the Royals on Aug. 24, when he allowed two hits in seven scoreless innings of a 9-1 victory. He is 3-1 with a 4.03 ERA in six career starts against them.

The Royals and Tigers have split six meetings in Detroit this season. The Tigers took two of three Aug. 23-25 while outscoring the Royals 24-8.