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Athletics look to get back on track in opener against Royals

Jul 28, 2008 - 2:46 PM Kansas City (47-59) at Oakland (53-51), 10:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics have struggled immensely in the second half - losing nine of 11 games - and will look to get back on track against the Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game set on Monday.

The Athletics swept a three-game set against the Royals in April and outscored them, 26-8.

Zack Greinke (7-7, 4.06 ERA) will take the mound for Kansas City with hopes of turning his fortunes around. The 24-year-old righthander has allowed 12 runs in nine innings over his last two starts. His last win came on June 24 when he beat the Colorado Rockies.

Greinke faced the Athletics on April 19 and didn't factor in the decision, which turned out to be a 6-5 loss. He tossed five innings, allowing three runs - two earned - and eight hits while striking out six.

The Athletics will counter with 24-year-old Dallas Braden (2-0, 4.05), who has shuttled between Class AAA Sacramento and Oakland all season. The lefthander won his first start of the season on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, when he tossed five solid innings, allowing one run and four hits.

Kurt Suzuki had three hits - including a three-run home run and Jack Cust added a two-run shot as the Athletics defeated the Texas Rangers, 6-5, on Sunday to salvage the finale of the three-game series.

Rookie righthander Brad Ziegler worked two innings against the Texas Rangers on Sunday to establish a modern major league record for consecutive scoreless innings (27) to begin a career. He broke the previous mark of 25 innings established by George McQuillan of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1907.

For the Royals, Billy Butler belted a three-run homer in a 6-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday to earn a four-game split with the American League East Division leader.