Kansas City @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 6, 2013 ) Kansas City 3, Philadelphia 4

The Philadelphia Phillies stole victory from the jaws of defeat in a Saturday night thriller, giving themselves a chance for their first series win of the season when they host the Kansas City Royals in the finale of a three-game set Sunday. The Phillies had two hits over their previous 14 innings before pinch hitter Kevin Frandsen lined a game-winning three-run double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to lift Philadelphia to a 4-3 victory.

Since scoring four runs in the first three innings of the series opener Friday, the Phillies had produced next to nothing before Royals closer Greg Holland gave them an opportunity with three walks to open the bottom of the ninth. Frandsen's double came in his first at-bat of the season. It also spoiled another solid pitching performance for Kansas City, which has had three of its five starters each allow one run in six innings. Luis Mendoza left Friday's game with a 3-1 lead after a stellar season debut for the Royals.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, PHL17 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH James Shields (0-1, 1.50) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (0-1, 9.00)

Shields got used to some meager run support from time to time during his days with Tampa Bay. He is likely expecting a bit more firepower from a talented Kansas City lineup, but it was nowhere to be found in his Royals debut Monday in Chicago. Shields allowed one run on a solo homer in six innings, but it was enough to send Kansas City to a 1-0 defeat. He struck out six and did not walk a batter, looking every bit the ace the Royals wanted when they made the seven-player trade with the Rays this off-season. Shields tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings against Philadelphia in Game 2 of the 2008 World Series. He is 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA in two starts against the Phillies in the regular season.

Hamels, who has never faced Kansas City, will be looking to rebound from a tough opener in Atlanta on Monday, when he served up three home runs and gave up five runs in five innings of a 7-5 loss. It marked only the second time in the last three seasons that Hamels has given up three homers in a game and had the veteran left-hander setting his sights on better results at home, where he has been solid throughout his career. The 29-year-old has posted a sub-3.00 ERA at Citizens Bank Park in three of his last five years and is 48-32 with a 3.20 mark in his career at home.

WALK-OFFS

1. Miguel Tejada, who made his first start in a Royals uniform Saturday and produced two RBIs, is 9-for-15 with three doubles against Hamels.

2. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel's next win will be the 950th of his career.

3. Kansas City plays its home opener Monday against Minnesota.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Royals 3