Sat Apr 26 10:57:21 2008

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Royals, Jays continue set at Kauffman

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(Sports Network) - Shaun Marcum hopes to put the brakes on a five-game losing streak for the Toronto Blue Jays this evening when they play game two of their three-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

In the opener of this set on Friday, David DeJesus went 2-for-4 with three runs batted in, and John Buck had a pair of run-scoring doubles as Kansas City rallied for six runs in the eighth inning to pick up an 8-4 win. Ross Gload had a double, an RBI and scored twice as the Royals snapped a seven-game losing streak.

Leo Nunez (2-0) earned the win despite allowing three runs on three hits in an inning of relief, while starter Zack Greinke didn't factor in the decision despite holding the Jays to one run on five hits over seven innings.

Scott Rolen, playing in his first game of the year after missing the first 23 with a fractured right middle finger, had a two-run double for the Blue Jays, who dropped their eighth game in 10 tries.

A.J. Burnett (2-2) took the loss after allowing five runs -- four earned -- on eight hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out six. Scott Downs faced five batters in the eighth but didn't record an out, allowing three runs on three hits.

Marcum, meanwhile, will try to get the Jays back in the win column tonight, as he looks to bounce back from his worst start of the season. Against the Detroit Tigers on Monday, Marcum was tagged with the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) and five hits in 5 2/3 innings, dropping him to 2-1 on the season, while raising his ERA to 3.42.

In five games (two starts) against the Royals, Marcum is 2-0 and has allowed only one run in 18 2/3 innings against them.

Kansas City will counter with young righty Luke Hochevar, who was tagged with the loss on Sunday in his season debut against Oakland. The former top overall pick, who has never faced the Blue Jays, was battered for six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings of that one. This will be just the third major league start of his career.

Toronto won four of its seven encounters with the Royals last season. The teams split a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium back in August.