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'Stros go with Keuchel against Kansas City

Jun 30, 2015 - 2:41 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Left-hander Dallas Keuchel looks to build off his second shutout of the season on Tuesday night when the Houston Astros continue a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals.

Keuchel's first shutout of the season came at the end of May when he limited the Chicago White Sox to four hits while striking out 11. While he allowed six hits to the New York Yankees on Thursday, he struck out a career-high 12 batters with one walk in a 4-0 victory and his third career shutout.

"He had all his pitches working. He had his little moxie on the mound. He was very confident, went right at guys and got guys out with every pitch," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said of Keuchel, who has logged at least six innings in 27 straight starts.

The 27-year-old is now 9-3 with a 2.17 earned run average on the year, including a 7-0 mark and 1.39 ERA in nine outings at home. Keuchel is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA in two lifetime starts versus the Royals.

Kansas City hurler Danny Duffy will make his second start since coming off the disabled list due to biceps tendinitis.

Duffy logged four shutout innings on Wednesday against Seattle in his return, but struggled in the fifth inning and ended up allowing a pair of runs -- one earned -- and recording two outs before getting lifted. That left him with a no-decision despite being gifted a 7-0 lead as he struck out four without a walk.

The left-hander has not won since April 30 and is 2-3 on the year with a 5.44 ERA through nine starts this season. He is 1-1 against the Astros with a 7.50 ERA over two appearances with one start.

The Astros picked up their second straight victory by taking Monday's opener 6-1. Chris Carter and Jose Altuve backed Lance McCullers' seven strong innings with home runs.

McCullers gave up one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six. The rookie right-hander pitched past the sixth inning for the first time in his last four starts.

"Another good outing by him," Hinch said.

Domingo Santana knocked in two runs for the AL West-leading Astros, who were coming off a four-game split against the New York Yankees to start their seven-game homestand.

Salvador Perez hit a solo homer for the Royals, who had a four-game winning streak halted. Joe Blanton gave up five runs in 2 2/3 innings to take the loss.

"I got lucky in the first inning (only giving up two runs)," Blanton said. "The rest of the game I wasn't so fortunate."

The Royals were without first baseman Eric Hosmer because of a sprained left ring finger and it is unlikely he will play in this series.

This is the first set of the season between these clubs after they traded three-game road sweeps in 2014.