Oakland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2013 ) Oakland 6, Kansas City 3

The Oakland Athletics will look to remain perfect against the host Kansas City Royals on Saturday when the teams square off for the fifth time in the second of a three-game set. The Athletics have used dominant pitching to win the first four meetings with the Royals, holding them to a total of eight runs. Left-hander Tommy Milone was within two outs of pitching Oakland's third shutout in eight games before faltering in the ninth inning of Friday's 6-3 victory.

Kansas City's offense had been percolating, putting up 41 runs in six games before getting shut down Friday night. The Royals scored all of their runs and collected five of their seven hits in a belated ninth-inning rally. Left fielder Alex Gordon, who has missed the last two games after crashing into the face in Wednesday's game against Cleveland, could return to the lineup this weekend after tests revealed he did not suffer a concussion.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland), Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Jarrod Parker (6-6, 4.11 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ervin Santana (5-5, 2.84)

A hamstring issue forced Parker to leave his last start against St. Louis on June 29 after allowing two hits in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. The Athletics gave him a couple of extra days to recover and build upon a superb stretch that has seen him go 4-0 over his last seven starts. Parker has allowed three runs or fewer in 10 consecutive outings to shave more than three runs off his ERA.

Santana lost four consecutive starts to close out May but rebounded to go 2-0 in six starts last month while pitching at least six innings in each. Run support has played a big part in the turnaround - Kansas City failed to scored more than four runs in his first 11 starts but has put up at least seven runs three times in his last five outings. He lost at Oakland on May 18 despite allowing two runs and four hits in seven innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Santana has excelled against the Athletics in his career, posting a 14-6 record and 2.05 ERA in 27 appearances (25 starts).

2. Parker limited Kansas City to one run and four hits over seven innings on May 17 but did not factor in the decision.

3. Athletics closer Grant Balfour matched Dennis Eckersley's franchise record by converting his 40th consecutive save on Friday.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Athletics 2