Minnesota Twins vs Kansas City Royals
When ? 16 Jul 2011 – 07:10 pm
Where ? Target Field
Pitchers: vs Francis vs Pavano
“It’s been a rough year from the word ‘go’ for me. … I’m going to keep grinding. I’m not giving up.” The right-hander has won seven of his last nine starts against the Royals, including a 5-2 complete-game victory at Kauffman Stadium on June 3. Hosmer had two of Kansas City’s nine hits off Pavano in that contest, but his double was the Royals’ lone extra-base hit. is just 2 for 9 against Francis, but 5 for 8 with three doubles the last two games after missing the final 14 before the All-Star break with a sprained right ankle. Young is batting .353 with five RBIs in eight games against the Royals this season. In four July appearances at Target Field, Capps has blown two saves while allowing seven runs and 11 hits over 2 2/3 innings. Pavano improved to 4-1 with a 2.68 ERA in his last seven starts overall after pitching seven innings in a 6-2 win over the White Sox on July 7. Hosmer is 8 for 24 with at least one hit in each of his six games versus Minnesota (42-49), which lost for just the fourth time in 14 games Friday. The Royals look to build on their comeback victory when they continue a four-game set with the Twins on Saturday night. The Royals counter with left-hander (3-10, 4.60), who is 0-4 with a 5.27 ERA in five starts since beating the on June 10 for his only win in nine road starts this season. Francis, however, has allowed just two runs in six innings in each of his last two outings, the most recent a 2-1 loss to Detroit on Sunday. Hosmer’s two-run homer off with two outs in the ninth inning Friday helped Kansas City (38-55) snap a five-game losing streak to Minnesota and even the series with a 2-1 win. Highlights and results will be available soon.. stay tuned.