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Westbrook looks to end two-month winless drought

Jul 13, 2007 - 1:45 PM Kansas City (38-50) at Cleveland (52-36) 7:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Jake Westbrook is hoping to record his first win since returning from the disabled list when the Cleveland Indians host the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series Friday.

Westbrook (1-4, 6.27 ERA) has posted an 0-2 record with a 4.05 ERA and just 12 strikeouts in three starts since returning from the DL on June 24.

The 29-year-old Westbrook, who has not won since April 27, surrendered five runs and 10 hits with two walks and three strikeouts over six innings in a 6-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on July 4.

The Indians have lost four of their last five contests and trail the Tigers by one game in the American League Central.

The Royals will counter with the 30-year-old Odalis Perez (4-8, 5.68), who has won just twice in his previous 13 starts.

The Dominican lefthander pitched six innings, yielding five runs and 10 hits in a 6-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays last Friday.

Kansas City has won four of its last six games, including four straight on the road.