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Indians turn to Lowe in opener with Royals

Apr 13, 2012 - 2:58 PM (Sports Network) - Right-handed veteran Derek Lowe makes his second start in a Cleveland uniform today when the Indians visit the Kansas City Royals to begin a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

The 38-year-old Michigan native was a 16-game winner with the Atlanta Braves in 2010 before skidding to nine wins in 34 starts last season.

He came to Cleveland to begin this season and was a winner in his debut, allowing two unearned runs in seven innings of a 4-3 defeat of the Toronto Blue Jays. He struck out one batter and walked one batter.

Lowe is 3-5 with four saves in 22 lifetime appearances against Kansas City - nine starts - posting a 4.84 earned run average in 67 innings.

The Royals counter with former No. 1 overall draft pick Luke Hochevar, who'll start for the 12th time in his career against Cleveland.

The 28-year-old, the first pick for Kansas City in 2006, is 4-7 with a 5.21 ERA in 11 previous meetings, allowing 38 earned runs on 67 hits in 65 2/3 innings.

He scattered five hits and gave up two runs in a 6-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in his 2012 debut on April 7, walking two and striking out four.

On Wednesday in Cleveland, A.J. Pierzynski smacked a three-run homer, registered three hits and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox defeated the Indians, 10-6.

Travis Hafner had three RBI, including a solo shot for Cleveland, which is off to a 1-4 start.

Justin Masterson (0-1) was touched for five runs -- three earned -- on eight hits and one walk in five frames.

In Oakland, after the Royals took a 4-3 lead in the top of the 12th, the A's scored two runs in the bottom of the frame without recording a hit to take a 5-4 decision over Kansas City in the finale of a three-game series at Oakland Coliseum.

Billy Butler broke a 3-3 tie with a two-out double to score Eric Hosmer in the top of the frame off of Andrew Carignan (1-0) before the Royals imploded in the bottom of the 12th.

Jonathan Broxton (0-1) came on for the save opportunity, punching out Daric Barton to start the inning. Pinch-hitter Seth Smith then reached on an error by shortstop Alcides Escobar before Jemile Weeks and Eric Sogard worked back- to-back walks to load the bases.

Coco Crisp followed with an RBI groundout, scoring Smith to tie the game and Yoenis Cespedes took a pitch off the shoulder to load the bases again.

Bruce Chen made the start for Kansas City and lasted just five innings, allowing three runs - two earned - on four hits and two walks. Alex Gordon, who started the season 0-for-17, finished 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBI, while Butler added a solo shot.

The Indians won 12 of 18 versus the Royals last season, taking six of nine at home.