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KC resumes set with Blue Jays

Jun 7, 2011 - 3:21 PM (Sports Network) - Royals right-hander Vin Mazzaro returns to the mound for the first time since mid-May tonight when Kansas City plays the Toronto Blue Jays in the second game of a four-game set at Kauffman Stadium.

A native of Hackensack, N.J., Mazzaro was recalled from Triple-A Omaha after the Royals' series-opening 3-2 win in 11 innings on Monday.

The 24-year-old was pounded in historical fashion in his last appearance on May 16 against Cleveland, allowing 14 runs on 11 hits in just 2 1/3 innings of a 19-1 loss.

He was summoned from the bullpen to pitch in that game, though he had already been penciled in to start the following day.

Upon being sent down, Mazzaro went 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts with Omaha.

He was acquired in a November trade that sent outfielder David DeJesus to Oakland and has a 10-17 career record with a 5.24 ERA in 43 major-league games, including 36 starts.

On Monday, Eric Hosmer drove in the game-winner for the Royals in the opener.

Frank Francisco (1-3) started the inning on the mound for the Blue Jays and promptly gave up singles to Chris Getz and Brayan Pena. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners up and Alex Gordon was intentionally walked, Melky Cabrera lined out to third for the second out.

Hosmer, though, dropped a single into center to help the Royals get the win after dropping all four games against Minnesota in their previous series.

The game made a winner of Joakim Soria (4-3), who went two perfect innings while starter Felipe Paulino was charged with just two runs -- one earned -- on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings for Kansas City.

Brandon Morrow was equally effective in the start, but got a no-decision as he gave up just one unearned run and two hits with five strikeouts and three walks over six innings for Toronto, which has dropped four of six.

The Blue Jays turn to righty Kyle Drabek, who's looking for his first win since May 16.

That same day in Detroit, the Victoria, Texas native allowed just three hits and a run in seven innings of Toronto's 4-2 win over the Tigers.

He's 0-2 with a no-decision in three starts since, having allowed 14 hits and nine runs in 13 1/3 innings, including a June 1 start against Cleveland in which he recorded just two outs.

Drafted in the first round by Philadelphia in 2006 and acquired by Toronto as part of the 2009 trade involving Roy Halladay, Drabek is 3-7 in 15 career big- league starts and has never faced the Royals.

Kansas City split its six games with the Jays a year ago.