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Matsuzaka aims to stay undefeated for Red Sox

May 22, 2008 - 12:20 PM Kansas City (21-25) at Boston (30-19) 1:35 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) - The Boston Red Sox will be looking for a series sweep Thursday when they close out a four-game set with the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park.

The Red Sox have won six straight and and are looking to complete an undefeated seven-game homestand before traveling to the West Coast for 10 games. Boston owns the best home record in the major leagues at 20-5.

Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-0, 2.15 ERA) is the only undefeated hurler left in the majors among qualifiers and has allowed two runs or less in each of his last four outings.

The Japanese righthander has been able to work around 32 walks by striking out 46 batters and allowing opponents to bat just .183.

The 27-year-old will be attempting to match a trio of strong starts by Boston pitchers over the first three games against the Royals.

Jon Lester tossed the 18th no-hitter in franchise history on Monday, rookie Justin Masterson allowed three hits in 6 1/3 frames on Tuesday and Bartolo Colon won his Boston debut on Wednesday.

Kansas City will send righthander Brian Bannister (4-5, 4.29) to the mound in the finale. The 27-year-old has lost five of his last six starts and allowed six runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings in a setback on Saturday.

The lowest scoring team in the American League, the Royals have managed just three runs combined in the first three games of the series.