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RHP Elarton faces former team

May 23, 2007 - 2:29 PM Cleveland (27-16) at Kansas City (18-28) 8:10 pm EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Royals try to make it two straight wins over the Cleveland Indians when they meet Wednesday.

In the series opener on Tuesday, Mike Sweeney hit a game-tying two-run homer in the sixth inning and Mark Teahen drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh as the Royals posted a 4-3 victory.

John Buck collected two hits and an RBI for the Royals, who have won seven of their last nine games - their best effort since capturing seven of eight from last June 18-27.

Kansas City's Scott Elarton (1-0, 5.23 ERA) takes the ball against his former club. The towering 6-7 righthander went 14-14 in two seasons with Cleveland from 2004-05 but is 2-0 in five career starts in the series.

Elarton gave up four runs through 5 1/3 frames for his first win since last July with a 7-4 win at Oakland last Thursday. He had missed 107 games the past two seasons due to shoulder surgery.

The Indians counter with Cliff Lee (2-0, 4.15), who allowed four runs and six hits in six innings in last Friday's 9-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The lefthander is 7-3 with a 4.70 ERA in 13 lifetime outings vs. the Royals.

Lee begins this season on the disabled list with an abdominal strain, which he sustained in February during a bullpen session before joining the rotation on May 3.