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Athletics hope to end losing ways vs. Royals

Jul 29, 2008 - 12:43 PM Kansas City (48-59) at Oakland (53-52) 10:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics finished the first half of the season as one of the majors' most surprising teams. The only shocking since the All-Star break, however, is how poorly they have played.

The A's hope to avoid their ninth loss in 11 games since the break on Tuesday when they continue their three-game set against the Kansas City Royals.

Oakland entered the All-Star break at 51-44 - six games back of Anaheim - which owned the best record in the American League prior to the "Midsummer Classic."

The early success raised expectations for a team that general manager Billy Beane admitted was "rebuilding" prior to the start of the season and had traded away pitchers Dan Haren, Joe Blanton and Rich Harden since the end of the 2007 season.

Since the break, however, the A's have slumped mightily. Perhaps there was no better illustration of their slide than the Royals' 4-2 series-opening victory on Monday when Kansas City starter Zack Greinke struck out a career-high 11.

Oakland starter Greg Smith (5-9, 3.90 ERA) is looking to avoid a fourth consecutive loss. In Wednesday's 4-3 loss at Tampa Bay, the lefthander surrendered four runs and five hits over six innings.

Gil Meche (8-9, 4.31), seeking his third win in as many starts, counters for the Royals. The righthander surrendered four hits and threw 46 pitches through two innings, but allowed just one single thereafter, needing only 44 pitches over the next five frames to collect the win in Thursday's 4-2 triumph over Tampa Bay.