=== Kansas City Royals Team Report - May 22 === (My Sportsbook) - Jeremy Affeldt heads to the mound for the Kansas City Royals today as they try to take the rubber match of their three-game series against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. The Royals, who enter the day one-half game behind Minnesota in the AL Central, snapped a four-game slide with a 14-5 victory last night. Carlos Beltran belted a pair of three-run homers to power the Royals. Beltran finished 2-for-4 with six RBI to help Kansas City snap a four-game losing streak. Angel Berroa, Michael Tucker, Joe Randa and Raul Ibanez also hit home runs for the Royals. Affeldt, who is 1-0 over his last two outings, will make his eighth start of the season, and his fourth since coming off the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his left middle finger. Since his return, the 23-year-old lefthander is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA. In those last three starts, he has walked just two batters and struck out 17. A native of Medical Lake, Washington, Affeldt didn't get a decision in his last appearance versus Toronto on Saturday, as he allowed three runs in six innings. He is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two career starts versus Seattle. Kansas City, which is 12-12 on the road this season, is now a half game back of Minnesota in the AL Central. The Royals have hit 54 home runs in 44 games this season. |
