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Royals try to make it two straight wins in Arlington

May 28, 2011 - 2:33 PM (Sports Network) - The Kansas City Royals try to make it two in a row this evening when they continue their three-game series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Kansas City put the brakes on a five-game losing streak in Friday's opener, as back-to-back home runs by Melky Cabrera and Eric Hosmer opened the floodgates in the 14th inning and pushed the Royals to a 12-7 win.

Alex Gordon had a game-tying homer in the ninth for the Royals, who won for only the third time in their last 13 tries. Brayan Pena added a three-run shot during the final frame to create a comfortable lead as Kansas City's final six runs were scored on home runs.

Kansas City starting pitcher Nathan Adcock did not fair well, allowing seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. However, the bullpen buckled down to pitch 11 1/3 scoreless innings and Blake Wood (2-0) tossed a perfect 13th to get the win.

"The bullpen deserves all the credit. Thanks to them we were able to come away with the victory," Pena said.

Texas scored all its runs during the first two innings, highlighted by Ian Kinsler's solo shot and David Murphy's two-run homer.

Dave Bush (0-1) gave up all five runs in the 14th to suffer the loss, the Rangers' second in three games.

There were 13 runs scored during the first two innings. and then zeros stretched across the board until the ninth.

Hoping for a better start tonight the Royals turn to right-hander Sean O'Sullivan, who is 2-3 with a 5.60 ERA. O'Sullivan was awful his last time out against the St. Louis Cardinals, but was bailed out by his offense, as he allowed seven runs and eight hits in just 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision in his team's 9-8 loss.

O'Sullivan has faced the Rangers four times (three starts) and is 2-0 with a 4.91 ERA.

Texas will give the ball to lefty Matt Harrison, who won for the first time in six starts on Sunday in Philadelphia. Harrison was terrific in that one, as he scattered five hits over 8 1/3 scoreless innings to improve to 4-4, while lowering his ERA to 3.82.

"Everything worked today," Harrison said. "I was able to get ahead of guys and was able to get my curveball over. I let them put the ball in play and my defense played great behind me."

Harrison is 1-1 lifetime against the Royals with a 6.35 ERA in four games (three starts).

The Rangers have won 14 of their past 19 versus Kansas City, including a 4-2 mark versus the Royals this year.