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Red-hot Davies to battle Lincecum, Giants

Jun 22, 2008 - 3:02 PM San Francisco (32-43) at Kansas City (32-43) 2:10 pm EDT

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Since his recall at the end of May, Kyle Davies has been one tough customer. However, he hasn't had the opportunity to share the mound with Tim Lincecum yet.

Davies and the Kansas City Royals attempt to take the rubber game of a three-game interleague series on Sunday when they host Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants.

Struggling to a 3-7 record and 6.66 ERA in 2007, Davies (3-0, 1.46 ERA) has not allowed more than a run in any of his four starts since being recalled from Class AAA Omaha.

Although Davies is surrendering three walks per outing, opponents are hitting .256 off him so far this season, well below his career .291 average. The righthander was sharp again on Tuesday, yielding just one run and five hits over seven innings in a 2-1 victory at St. Louis.

However, in order to drive the Royals to their fourth straight interleague series win, he'll have to match pitches with Lincecum (8-1, 2.21), who is second in the majors in ERA and third in strikeouts with 95.

The righthander recorded his second consecutive no-decision in Monday's 8-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers, allowing an uncharacteristic four runs and six hits over seven innings.

Prior to that, the 24-year-old had allowed three runs or less in seven consecutive starts.