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Gonzalez, A's resume set with Royals

Sep 6, 2011 - 2:41 PM (Sports Network) - Gio Gonzalez shoots for his fourth straight win this evening when the Oakland Athletics continue a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at the Coliseum.

Gonzalez was magnificent in beating the Cleveland Indians on Thursday, as he scattered four hits over seven scoreless innings to improve to 12-11, while lowering his earned run average to 3.21.

He also walked four and struck out seven in the triumph and is averaging 8.95 strikeouts-per-nine innings. If he maintains that pace through his final starts, he would break the Athletics franchise record, held by Todd Stottlemyre at 8.80 strikeouts per nine innings.

Gonzalez has faced the Royals six times and is 3-2 with a 5.74 ERA.

Kansas City, meanwhile, will hand the ball to a young lefty of its own in Danny Duffy, who is 3-8 with a 5.73 ERA. Duffy is winless in his last six starts (0-4) and received a no-decision his last time out on Thursday in Detroit, as he allowed five runs and six hits in five innings.

Duffy beat the A's earlier in the year, holding them to a pair of runs in six innings.

Kansas City used a five-run ninth inning to best Oakland, 11-6, in Monday's opener. Billy Butler went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, while Eric Hosmer contributed three hits and two RBI with two runs scored for the Royals, who won for the third time in five outings.

"Since this unit's been intact it's been good," Butler said of Kansas City's offense. "We're all feeding off each other and driving balls, putting up runs."

Greg Holland (4-1) worked a scoreless eighth for the win. Felipe Paulino started, but was pulled after 4 1/3 innings after allowing four hits and six runs with four walks.

Scott Sizemore clubbed a three-run homer for the Athletics, who saw their four-game win streak halted.

Andrew Bailey (0-4) recorded just one out in the ninth and was charged with the loss, allowing three runs on three hits. Rich Harden yielded four runs on eight hits but fanned 10 over his five-inning performance.

Oakland is 4-3 versus the Royals this season.