Kansas City @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2010 ) Kansas City 7, NY Yankees 4

The storybook ending was about to be written.

Alex Rodriguez was scheduled to bat with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. His next home run would be the 600th of his career.

That was before Mark Teixeira was called out at first base on a controversial call to end Saturday's contest with A-Rod on deck. Now, Rodriguez will take a swing at the milestone on Sunday as the New York Yankees complete a four-game series with the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium.

Rodriguez, trying to become the seventh player in major league history to reach 600 home runs, will face Sean O'Sullivan for the second time in a week.

O'Sullivan surprised the Yankees on Tuesday, pitching six innings in a 10-2 win for the Los Angeles Angels. A couple of days later he was dealt to the Royals for Alberto Callaspo. He was 5-2 in 17 starts over two seasons with the Angels.

O'Sullivan surrendered two runs in the first inning of Tuesday's game and then set down 12 of the next 13 batters he faced. Rodriguez had a double in three trips in the game.

Kansas City handed New York a 7-4 setback on Saturday. Teixeira belted two home runs in the game but made the last out when he hit a grounder to shortstop Rafael Betancourt. Teixeira insisted that he was safe on the play, and replays seemed to confirm that he was right.

He said it would have been a fairy tale ending for A-Rod to win the game with his 600th home run but he never got the chance. Rodriguez hopes to hit his 600th on Sunday as New York takes off on a seven-game road trip after the game.

Phil Hughes (11-3) starts for the Yankees. Hughes, who was the All-Star Game loser, has hit some hard times lately. He was outpitched by O'Sullivan on Tuesday and has lost two of his last three decisions. His ERA, which was 2.54 in early June is now 3.99.

The Yankees are still evaluating their starting rotation as the trading deadline approaches. Sergio Mitre gave them little reason for confidence on Saturday. Mitre gave up all seven Kansas City runs in 4 1/3 innings. He continuously worked behind the count in his first start since June 4.

While Mitre struggled, Dustin Moseley threw his hat in the ring with a brilliant relief performance. Moseley, a former Angel himself, gave up just one hit and one walk in 4 2/3 innings in relief of Mitre.

Mitre got the start because Andy Pettitte was placed on the disabled list with a strained groin. The Yankees initially said that Pettitte would miss up to five weeks but the veteran left-hander said on Saturday that he hopes to be back much sooner.

He played catch from 60 feet before Saturday?s game and will travel with the team on its upcoming road trip. Pettitte is 11-2 in 18 starts with a 2.88 ERA.