(Sports Network) – The Oakland Athletics try to beat the Kansas City Royals for the sixth straight time this evening when the two ballclubs continue their three-game series at the Coliseum.
Trevor Cahill was absolutely brilliant for the A’s in the opener, as he tossed the first shutout of his career in Oakland’s 6-0 win.
Cahill (11-4), who also recorded the first complete game of his career, gave up just three hits and four walks with three strikeouts for the Athletics, who improved to 4-0 against the Royals this season and 10-2 against them since the start of last year.
“When he goes on the mound he’s a competitor,” A’s catcher Suzuki said of his battery mate. “It’s been such a good time being able to catch him this year. He works real hard.”
Rajai Davis hit a two-run homer in the win.
Wilson Betemit hit a double for the only extra-base hit for the Royals, who had won three in a row, but lost for the seventh time in their last eight road games. Brian Bannister (7-11) was tagged for five runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts over five innings.
Getting the call for Oakland tonight will be righty Vin Mazzaro, who will be trying to bounce back from his first loss in more than a month. Mazzaro fell for the first time in five decisions on Thursday in Texas, as the Rangers raked him for seven runs and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings, dropping him to 6-3 on the year to go along with a 4.04 ERA.
Mazzaro, though, has beaten the Royals both times he has faced them, including earlier in the year when he held KC to a run in 7 2/3 innings.
Kansas City, meanwhile, will counter with righty Kyle Davies, who is 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA. Davies did not get a decision on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles, as he surrendered four runs (three earned) and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of a 6-5 loss.
Davies has had success against the A’s, going 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA in four starts.
Oakland swept a three-game set from the Royals from July 16-18.