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Royals go for the sweep vs. Rangers

Jul 29, 2007 - 3:13 PM Texas (46-58) at Kansas City (46-57) 2:10 pm EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) - The Kansas City Royals' offense benefited greatly from the contributions of the last three hitters in their lineup on Saturday. A similar performance would complete a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

In the second game of the series, Emil Brown, John Buck and Tony Pena, Jr. went a combined 8-for-1l with four runs scored and four RBI. The Royals needed every bit of it to grab the win after Ranger Nelson Cruz homered twice and accounted for five RBI.

Kansas City will turn their hopes for a sweep to Leo Nunez (0-0, 2.25 ERA), who will be making his second career start after 48 relief appearances. In his first start on July 17, the righthander allowed a run and six hits over but did not qualify for a win after going just four innings in a 9-3 win over the Boston Red Sox.

Nunez has made seven relief appearances against the Rangers, going 1-0 with a 4.63 ERA.

Kameron Loe (5-8, 5.59), who is on a four-game personal winless streak, will look to thwart the Royals' three-game winning streak. After winning four straight starts and maintaining a 1.95 ERA, the righthander is winless since, in part due to a 5.07 ERA.

Loe did not receive a decision in his start on Tuesday against Seattle despite allowing three runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings in the Rangers' eventual 4-3 win. He would like to reverse his fortunes against the Royals, however, as he has an 15.43 ERA in just 4 2/3 innings pitched against them in three appearances, including one start.