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Athletics aim to continue recent success in Kansas City

May 10, 2007 - 2:17 PM Oakland (16-16) at Kansas City (11-23) 2:10 pm EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics have not experienced defeat very much in one of the cities where the franchise originated. With another loss on Thursday, they will do something they have not done this millenium.

The Athletics will look to avoid losing a series in Kansas City for the first time in nearly eight years when they conclude a three-game set against the Royals.

The Athletics franchise, which began in Philadelphia in 1901 before moving to Kansas City in 1955, relocated to Oakland prior to the 1968 season. Despite Wednesday's 3-2 loss in Kansas City, Oakland has still won 19 of its last 23 at Kauffman Stadium and has not lost a series here since dropping two of three from July 23-25, 1999.

In an effort to come out with a series win, the A's will send Joe Kennedy (0-2, 2.48 ERA) to the mound. The lefthander gave up one run and three hits in a season-high seven innings last Saturday, but the bullpen allowed two runs in a 3-2, 12-inning loss to Tampa Bay.

Though he's allowed one earned run in each of his five starts, Kennedy has only received eight runs of support while his bullpen has allowed 19 runs. He is 2-0 with a 4.29 ERA in eight games - including three starts - in his career against Kansas City.

The Royals will counter with Luke Hudson (NR), who is scheduled to make his season debut for Kansas City after being sidelined with an inflamed right biceps tendon. Hudson went 6-3 with a 4.79 ERA in 15 starts last season.

Hudson claimed a victory in his only career start against Oakland, giving up one run in five innings of a 7-1 victory on August 18. He is 1-1 with a 5.63 ERA lifetime in three games against them.

Wednesday's hero, Mike Sweeney, whose solo home run in the eighth inning broke a 2-2 tie, moved into second place on the Royals' all-time list with his 194th homer. Only Hall of Famer George Brett (317) has more.