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Blue Jays-Royals Preview

Apr 29, 2009 - 5:19 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Toronto (14-7) at Kansas City (10-9), 8:10 p.m. EDT

Zack Greinke finally gave up a run, but that hardly seems cause for concern.

Coming off consecutive complete-game efforts, the Kansas City right-hander looks to become the major leagues' first five-game winner Wednesday night when the Royals continue a four-game home set with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Greinke (4-0, 0.00 ERA) continued his dominance that began late last season after giving up an unearned run and three hits while striking out 10 for the second straight contest in a 6-1 win over Detroit at home on Friday. The 25-year-old pitched a seven-hitter in a 2-0 victory at Texas on April 18 in his previous start.

"When Greinke pitches, the Royals are as good as any team in baseball," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

The Tigers' unearned run in the fifth inning snapped Greinke's scoreless innings streak at 38 dating to last season, but he still leads the majors in ERA and is among the leaders with 36 strikeouts.

"It's fun to watch Zack on the mound," teammate Mark Teahen said. "I'm just glad he's on our team."

Greinke, who won a career-high 13 games in 2008, could face a bit of a challenge, though, against the AL East-leading Blue Jays (15-7), whose 133 runs are the most in the majors.

He is 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA in five starts against Toronto, which bounced back from a 7-1 series-opening loss by winning 8-1 on Tuesday.

Vernon Wells had three hits with three RBIs and Aaron Hill added three hits and drove in two runs for Toronto, which has yet to lose a series this season.

"We got the key hits at the right time," Hill said. "It's something we haven't done in a while."

Hill is batting .371 and hit safely in all but two games. He is 1-for-10, however, against Greinke.

Moved from the bullpen into the rotation due to injuries, Brian Tallet (1-0, 2.95) makes his third straight start for Toronto.

He allowed four hits and struck out five in 5 2-3 innings of a 14-0 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday for his first victory as a starter since 2002. Tallet has allowed one earned run and eight hits in 11 innings over his two starts.

While facing Greinke won't make things easy for the Blue Jays' potent offense, Tallet appreciates the support, especially as he continues to get comfortable as a starter.

"It makes our jobs as pitchers a lot easier," Tallet told the Blue Jays' official Web site. "You can go out there and challenge guys with your best stuff, knowing that (your offense) is going to go out there and score some runs."

The left-hander has allowed three runs in six relief outings against Kansas City, but will face the Royals as a starter for the first time.

David DeJesus went 2-for-4 and drove in the lone run Tuesday for the Royals (10-10), who have lost six of their last nine games and allowed a season-high 14 hits in their last contest.

Jose Guillen went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Tuesday for Kansas City after hitting his first two homers of the season Monday.