(My Sportsbook) - The suddenly-slumping Kansas City Royals try to end a season-high, four-game losing streak on Friday when they head to Baltimore for the first of a three-game series at Camden Yards.

Kansas City dropped to 1-5 on its nine-game road trip with a 6-5 setback to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. Despite the recent slide, the Royals still lead the AL Central by 3 1/2 games over Chicago.

Mike Sweeney, Carlos Beltran and Raul Ibanez each finished with two hits and a homer for the Royals, who squandered a 2-0 lead. Joe Randa also had two hits for Kansas City.

Jason Grimsley (1-2), who pitched two innings of relief, allowed the game- winning double to Todd Walker to suffer the loss.

The Royals send Miguel Asencio to the mound on Friday. Asencio hasn't earned a decision since April 10, when he claimed the victory against Detroit. For the season, the righthander is 1-0 with a 4.82 ERA over five starts.

Most recently, Asencio allowed four runs on seven hits in six innings against the Blue Jays on Saturday. He walked one and struck out three.

Asencio has made three career appearances against Baltimore, but Friday will be his first start. He has no record and a 3.00 ERA against the Orioles.