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Athletics try to avoid sweep by Royals

Jul 30, 2008 - 10:14 AM Kansas City (49-59) at Oakland (53-53) 3:35 p.m. EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics have been the worst team in the majors since the All-Star break largely due to a struggling offense.

The Athletics try to get back on track and avoid a sweep when they host the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

Oakland was one of the biggest surprises of the first half, entering the All-Star break six games behind the American League-leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. However, the Athletics are 2-9 since the "Midsummer Classic" and have been limited to two runs or fewer in five of those games.

Oakland has scored two runs in each of the first two games while striking out 22 times total against the Royals, who rank 12th in the AL with a 4.59 ERA.

The Athletics will try to bounce back against Brian Bannister (7-9, 5.40 ERA), who is looking to snap a personal three-game losing streak.

Bannister allowed three runs - two earned - and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings on Friday, but suffered the loss in a 5-3 setback to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rookie Sean Gallagher (1-0, 2.60) eyes his second win since being acquired by the Athletics.

Gallagher, who was part of the six-player trade that sent Oakland ace Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs on July 8, has allowed five earned runs in 17 1/3 innings with the A's but has two no-decisions.