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Royals look to tame Tigers again

Aug 31, 2008 - 8:44 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Kansas City Royals are hoping to take out more of their frustrations on the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

The Royals have lost 23 of their last 28 games in August, a skid that started after they surprisingly took two of three from the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox from August 1-3.

Since that series win, Kansas City had been scoring less three runs per game during its long slump until erupting against Detroit in a 13-3 rout on Saturday.

Ace Gil Meche (10-10, 4.13 ERA) will get the call for the Royals in the finale, but is coming off a rough outing as he gave up five runs and 14 hits in a 9-4 loss to the Texas Rangers on Monday that ended his four-game winning streak.

The righthander has enjoyed success against Detroit in his career though, going 7-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 16 starts, including a 1-0 mark in two starts this season. The Royals have enjoyed playing at Comerica Park this season, winning four of five against the disappointing Tigers.

Detroit counters with Armando Galarraga (12-4, 3.20). The rookie has been one of the few bright spots for the Tigers, winning his last five decisions and compiling a 2.74 ERA over his last seven starts.

Galarraga limited the Royals to one run and three hits in seven innings of a 7-1 win on July 23. Manager Jim Leyland needs innings out of the righthander as the Tigers' bullpen was shellacked for seven runs and nine hits in three innings on Saturday and has a 9.98 ERA over its last four games.