(Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics shoot for their first five-game winning streak of the 2010 campaign, as they close up a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals today at Kauffman Stadium.
On Saturday, Adam Rosales drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the top of the ninth inning, as the Athletics rallied past the Royals, 6-5, in the second test of this set.
Rosales finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored for the Athletics, who have won four in a row. Kevin Kouzmanoff knocked in three runs and scored once for the victors.
Craig Breslow (4-2) tossed a scoreless eighth to pick up the win. Andrew Bailey then recorded his 19th save of the year. Oakland starter Cahill lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits.
Yuniesky Betancourt hit a grand slam for the Royals, who have dropped five straight games.
Starter Bruce Chen gave up four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 frames, while Joakim Soria (0-2) took the loss after allowing a run on two hits in the ninth inning.
Heading to the hill for the Royals today is Brian Bannister, who is 1-4 with an 8.10 ERA over his last six outings. The right-hander last started on July 10th, when he gave up five earned runs and seven hits over six innings of a 5-1 loss to the White Sox.
Bannister has made eight career starts versus Oakland, going 1-4 with a 5.02 ERA.
Vin Mazzaro gets the nod for the Athletics and he will try to put together a fourth straight quality start. The right-hander did not receive a decision in his last outing despite allowing three earned runs and just four hits over seven strong innings against the Angels on July 9th.
In his lone start against the Royals on August 7th, Mazzaro earned the victory after yielding three runs in five innings of a 9-4 result.
This is the first series of the season between these teams. In 2009, Oakland won six of eight bouts with Kansas City, including two of three games held at Kauffman Stadium.