MLB

• Royals hope to stun Orioles again at Kauffman Stadium

  (Sports Network) - Two of the worst teams in the American League continue a weekend series in Kansas City tonight as the Royals host the Baltimore Orioles.

  Baltimore announced prior to Thursday's game it had hired Buck Showalter to serve as the team's new manager, although the former Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers skipper won't officially take over until the Orioles return from their current road trip on Tuesday. Baltimore fired field general Dave Trembley on June 4, with interim manager Juan Samuel having gone 17-31 since assuming those duties.

  This has certainly been a forgettable season for Brad Bergesen, as the Baltimore right-hander is 3-9 with a lofty 6.95 ERA. He has allowed 125 hits through 88 innings and has only struck out 35 batters. On Monday, he permitted eight earned runs on 10 hits in five innings pitched against the White Sox.

  Bergesen is 1-1 lifetime against Kansas City, but he was beaten in his only start against the Royals this season.

  Kansas City ace Zack Greinke is undoubtedly eager to get back on the mound today after getting torched for eight runs in only four innings by Minnesota on Monday. The young righty has not looked like a Cy Young winner this season, posting a 6-10 record with a 4.01 ERA. Still, he has 120 strikeouts in 137 innings and is a threat to pitch a gem every time out.

  Greinke didn't figure in the decision of his lone start against Baltimore this season and is 1-2 lifetime against the Orioles with a 5.75 ERA.

  Alex Gordon hit a game-winning three-run homer with two outs in the ninth on Friday, as the Royals put together a fierce rally to stun the Orioles, 7-5, in the second of four games at Kauffman Stadium.

  Alfredo Simon (2-2) came on to protect Baltimore's one-run lead in the ninth, but couldn't convert the save opportunity.

  The first two Kansas City batters were quickly retired, but Rick Ankiel kept the game alive with a walk. Wilson Betemit followed with a single through the infield's right side to put runners on the corners, and Gordon ended the game by belting a Simon offering well over the wall in right field.

  "I've been feeling good at the plate. The numbers probably don't show it, but I feel like I'm having good at-bats," Gordon said. "This is probably one of my highlights for my career so far, so it felt good." The homer made a winner of Blake Wood (1-2), who pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

  It was Gordon's first career game-ending home run. The once highly touted third baseman was playing in just his seventh game since being recalled earlier this month. He was converted to an outfielder in the minor leagues and hit just his second home run of the season in 19 games.

  The Orioles went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and are 2-for-35 in such situations in the last five games.

  Betemit finished with three hits and two RBI, while Ankiel reached base three times, drove in a run and scored twice, as the Royals snapped a five-game losing streak.

  Baltimore owns the worst record in the majors at 32-71, while Kansas City is 43-60, 15 1/2 games back of the pace in the AL Central.

  These teams split a pair of meetings in Baltimore back in May, as well as a four-game series held at Kauffman Stadium last season.

  07/31 11:04:01 ET