Kansas City @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2013 ) Kansas City 2, NY Mets 4

The New York Mets earned a dramatic win Friday night, getting a two-run walk-off homer from Eric Young Jr. to halt visiting Kansas City's nine-game winning streak. The victory came at a price, however, as Mets captain David Wright suffered a right hamstring strain and could miss considerable time as New York prepares for the second contest of a three-game set with the Royals on Saturday. The Mets also are hurting in the bullpen, with closer Bobby Parnell ailing and setup man Josh Edgin on the disabled list.

Pitching has fueled the resurgence for Kansas City, which allowed more than three runs for the first time in 10 games in Friday's 4-2 defeat. The bullpen has been outstanding, coming into the series having allowed three runs in 24 2/3 innings and tacking on five-plus scoreless frames in the opener before Luis Mendoza served up Young's game-winning blast. The loss dropped the Royals five games behind Baltimore for the second wild card slot in the American League.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN (Kansas City), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Bruce Chen (4-0, 2.09 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (4-8, 4.21)

Chen has made a seamless transition from the bullpen to the rotation, pitching six innings in each of his three starts while giving up a total of three runs and not allowing more than three hits in any of them. He settled for a no-decision versus the Chicago White Sox his last time out, giving up two runs on three hits, and beat Baltimore in his previous outing with two runs and three hits allowed.

Hefner is moving up a day to take the scheduled start of Carlos Torres, who pitched two innings of relief in Friday's series opener. Hefner will attempt to break out of a three-start rut that has seen him lose twice and surrender a whopping 19 runs in 11 2/3 innings. The ugly stretch came on the heels of 10 consecutive outings in which the 27-year-old Hefner permitted three or fewer runs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Wright's homer on Friday tied him with Mike Piazza for second on the franchise list with 220.

2. Chen made 11 starts for the Mets in 2001, logging a 3-2 record and 4.68 ERA.

3. Hefner has struggled at home, going 1-5 with a 4.56 ERA in 10 starts.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, Mets 3