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Mets, Royals close series from Citi Field

Aug 4, 2013 - 2:21 PM (Sports Network) - After beginning the weekend with a pair of extra-inning affairs, the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals will close out a three-game series Sunday afternoon from Citi Field.

Eric Young Jr. belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th inning on Friday night to give the Mets a 4-2 win.

On Saturday, it was Kansas City's turn to hit a game-winning home run in extra innings. Justin Maxwell pinch-hit for reliever Kelvin Herrera to lead off the 12th inning and launched an offering from David Aardsma over the left field wall.

The Royals have won 10 of their last 11 games and trail in the AL wild card race by 4 1/2 games.

Aardsma suffered his first loss of the season by giving up Maxwell's home run. The Mets bullpen had pitched five scoreless innings in relief of starter Jeremy Hefner, who allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings before Aardsma let up the game winner.

The Mets have lost three of their last four games.

Ervin Santana takes the mound for Kansas City on Sunday.

Santana tossed seven innings and allowed just two runs while tying a season- high with eight strikeouts against Minnesota on Tuesday.

He has now allowed three earned runs or fewer in 10 of his last 11 starts. The right-hander picked up the win against the Twins on Tuesday which moved him to 7-6 with his ERA also sitting at an impressive 3.03.

Since coming up with the Angels in 2005, Santana has never pitched against the Mets.

Zach Wheeler gets the start for New York opposite of Santana.

Though he has not taken the NL by storm as much as fellow stud Matt Harvey, Wheeler has still enjoyed a strong campaign in his first year in the bigs. Wheeler is currently 4-1 with an ERA of 3.55 in eight starts since being called up in mid-June.

In his last start, Wheeler allowed just two runs on three hits in seven innings against Miami. Though the Mets won the game, 4-2, Wheeler did not factor in the decision. He has won the last three starts in which he has factored into.

Wheeler will be facing Kansas City for the first time.