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Hochevar makes second start as Royals face Blue Jays

Apr 26, 2008 - 1:44 PM Toronto (10-14) at Kansas City (10-13) 7:10 pm EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) - The Kansas City Royals have done a fine job with their starting pitching this season. They are hoping Luke Hochevar can turn the corner when the club hosts the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

Kansas City has seen Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke continue to build on productive 2007 campaigns this year, which has helped mask a sluggish offense that ranks last in the American League in runs scored.

While Bannister and Greinke figure to be at the front of the Royals rotation for years to come, the most promising pitcher in the system just might be Hochevar (0-1, 11.57 ERA), who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 draft.

The 24-year-old righthander highlights a strong sinker among five pitches, and was effective in a brief September callup last season.

But his first start of the season did not go according to plan last Sunday at Oakland. He surrendered six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings to suffer the loss.

Kansas City snapped a seven-game slide in the first game of the series Friday, scoring six runs in the eighth inning en route to an 8-4 victory.

Greinke allowed one run in seven innings but did not factor in the decision as the Royals posted their highest run total of the season.

The Blue Jays will counter with Shaun Marcum (2-1, 3.42). The 26-year-old righthander will be trying to rebound from his worst start of the season Monday when he allowed five runs - four earned - and five hits in 5 2/3 frames to take a loss against the Tigers.

Marcum has dominated Kansas City in his short career, posting a 2-0 record with a 0.48 ERA in five games. He took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Royals last August.