Royals 1 - 3 Yankees
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Royals make a stop at Yankee Stadium

May 10, 2011 - 3:00 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Kansas City Royals try to avoid a seventh straight road loss this evening when they open a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Kansas City has been one of the more pleasant surprises in the league this season thanks in part to their play at home, where they are 15-8. However, the road has been a different story, as it owns a major-league worst 3-8 mark and was 0-6 on its last trip that included stops in Cleveland and Texas.

The Royals, though, just completed a 6-3 homestand, but dropped the finale of their three-game series with the Oakland Athletics, 5-2, on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.

Jeff Francis (0-4) took the loss in 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits and a walk in Kansas City's third setback in five games overall.

"You're always trying to find a delivery you can repeat and you can have good command. The past two outings I had made some mistakes that I paid for, but for the most part the ball's going where I need it to," said Francis. "It's just a matter of making a good pitch when you need to and you've got runners on. I did that more today than I have the last two times."

Super prospect Eric Hosmer had two hits and an RBI in the loss and is 3-for-9 since being recalled.

Tonight, the Royals turn to righty Kyle Davies, who has been miserable, posting a 1-4 mark to go along with a 7.32 earned run average. Davies lost his third straight start on Wednesday against Baltimore, as he allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Davies has had success against the Yankees, going 3-0 with a 5.85 ERA in four starts.

New York, meanwhile, returns home tonight after taking two of three in Texas, culminating with a 12-5 romp on Sunday that saw Derek Jeter break out of his season-long funk with two home runs and four hits.

"All I can ask for is to feel comfortable," said Jeter, who raised his average 20 points to .276. "If you feel comfortable, the hits will come. Sometimes it's not as easy as it may look. You've got to continue to work, and eventually the results will be there."

Francisco Cervelli belted a grand slam, while Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira also homered for the Yankees, who finished their road trip with a 3-4 record.

New York starter CC Sabathia (3-2) was tagged for five runs -- three earned -- on five hits and four walks in six-plus innings.

Heading to the hill for the Yankees tonight will be righty Freddy Garcia, who has lost his last two starts. Garcia was hit hard by the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, allowing four runs on 10 hits in seven innings. He also struck out eight and has fanned 23 batters in 25 innings this season.

Garcia has faced the Royals 27 times and is 9-13 against them with a 5.89 ERA.

The Yankees won five of their eight matchups with the Royals last season, including three of the four meetings in the Bronx.






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