Kansas City @ Houston preview

Last Meeting ( May 21, 2013 ) Kansas City 7, Houston 3

The Kansas City Royals finally put an end to their four-game losing streak, rallying for all of their runs over the final three innings in Tuesday's 7-3 victory over the host Houston Astros. The Royals had lost each game by one run, including Monday's series opener, but they chipped away against the Astros' bullpen and collected 13 hits - all singles - to climb back to the .500 mark. Hard-luck right-hander James Shields will seek his third win in Wednesday's series finale.

Houston wasted a strong start by Bud Norris and received a dreadful effort from its bullpen in coughing up a 3-0 lead Tuesday. Four relievers combined to give up seven runs on eight hits over the final three innings. The meltdown spoiled a big night by Jimmy Paredes, who had his first three-hit game and first homer - a three-run shot - of the season. The bullpen could play a pivotal role again on Wednesday, given Jordan Lyles' inability to pitch deep into games.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN (Kansas City), CSN (Houston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH James Shields (2-4, 2.45 ERA) vs. Astros RH Jordan Lyles (1-1, 6.63)

Shields has absorbed back-to-back crushing losses and is 0-2 in his last three outings despite permitting four earned runs and striking out 23 in 24 innings. He surrendered a pair of solo homers to suffer a 2-1 loss at Oakland on Friday and gave up three runs - two earned - in his previous start against the New York Yankees. Shields has gone seven consecutive starts without allowing more than three runs, but the Royals have scored only four in his last three outings.

Lyles had his best outing of the year last time out, allowing two runs - one earned - on four hits in five-plus innings in a loss at Pittsburgh. He has not gone past five frames in any of his four starts even though he's allowed three runs or fewer in three of them. Lyles also failed to pitch more than five innings in 12 of his 25 starts last year. He went seven innings in his only turn vs. the Royals, giving up a pair of runs and only three hits.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals LF Alex Gordon is riding a nine-game hitting streak and is batting .352.

2. The Astros are tied with Miami for the worst overall (13-33) and home (7-17) records in baseball.

3. Royals 3B Mike Moustakas snapped a 1-for-36 swoon with a game-tying RBI single Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Astros 2