Kansas City @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2010 ) Kansas City 2, LA Angels 1
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim had hoped to gain ground on the AL West-leading Texas Rangers during their three-game home series against the Kansas City Royals.
And for eight-plus innings on Friday night, it appeared the Angels would start the series on a sound note. But one strike away from ending the game, Kansas City second baseman Mike Aviles doubled in the tying run against Brian Fuentes - who had converted nine consecutive save opportunities.
Willie Bloomquist followed up in the 10th by driving in Yuniesky Betancourt with the go-ahead run in Kansas City’s 2-1 victory over the Angels.
Prior to the contest, the Royals (35-45) were 1-42 this season when trailing after eight innings. The other victory came on May 19 when they scored five runs in the ninth at the Cleveland Indians for an 8-4 victory.
Texas dropped a 5-3 decision to the Chicago White Sox on Friday, and Los Angeles stayed 3 1/2 games behind the Rangers in the AL West.
Kansas City will try to win the series on Saturday night when it sends left-hander Bruce Chen (4-2, 3.92 ERA) against right-hander Ervin Santana (8-5, 3.92 ERA).
Chen won just one game with the Royals in 2009. He is 0-1 in two starts against the Angels, but has 10 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.
Santana, who has already matched his win total from last year, has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his last nine starts. In his last outing, Santana permitted three runs with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings en route to a 10-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Kansas City designated hitter Wilson Betemit is batting .438 (14-for-32) with five doubles, three homers and seven RBIs.
Betemit is one reason the Royals entered the series leading the majors in hitting at .284. Aviles is another.
In his past 14 games, Aviles is batting .382 with seven RBIs and has scored nine runs.
The Royals have not led the majors since 1982. They led the American League in batting in 2000 with a franchise-best .288.
On the injury front, Angels left fielder Juan Rivera missed his third consecutive game on Friday with eye problems. Rivera is not expected to go on the disabled list.
The Angels also demoted Trevor Bell to Triple-A Salt Lake before Friday's game so he could get more experience. Right-handed reliever Rich Thompson was recalled for the first time this year.