Seattle @ Kansas City preview

Seattle at Kansas City

Last Meeting ( Jul 17, 2012 ) Seattle 9, Kansas City 6

The Kansas City Royals need to find a way to stop the Seattle Mariners early if they hope to earn a split of their four-game series, which continues Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium. Seattle scored five runs in the first inning and two in the second during a 9-4 victory in the series opener, then tallied three times in each of the first two frames in Tuesday's 9-6 triumph. The Mariners, who have won three of four overall, lead the major leagues with 238 runs scored on the road.

Seattle scored all of its first six runs Tuesday with two outs. Justin Smoak homered in the first inning for the second time in as many games while Kyle Seager ripped a two-run double in the second, giving him an American League-high 31 two-out RBIs. Kansas City has dropped seven of its last eight overall contests and is 1-4 on its 10-game homestand. The Royals fell a major league-worst 12 games under .500 (15-27) with Tuesday's loss.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Root Sports (Seattle), FSN (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mariners RH Kevin Millwood (3-7, 3.71 ERA) vs. Royals LH Bruce Chen (7-8, 5.50)

Millwood still is searching for his first win since May 23. The veteran is 0-3 in eight starts since the victory over Texas, including a loss to the Rangers on Friday in which he allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings. Millwood, who is just 2-4 despite a 2.72 ERA in nine road starts, owns a 6-5 record in 15 career outings against the Royals.

Chen has struggled in July, surrendering six runs in each of his three starts. The journeyman escaped with a no-decision Friday against the Chicago White Sox after yielding six runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. Chen has yet to lose to Seattle in his career, going 4-0 with one complete game in 11 contests - seven starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mariners have scored a total of four runs in Millwood's last three starts.

2. Kansas City OF Lorenzo Cain hit his second career home run Tuesday and first since 2010 while with Milwaukee.

3. Mariners LHP Charlie Furbush left Tuesday's victory with tightness in his left triceps after retiring the only batter he faced.