Kansas City @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2011 ) Kansas City 4, Oakland 8

THE STORY: The Oakland A’s have answered a five-game losing streak with four consecutive victories, including a three-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners. The A’s allowed just seven runs in the win streak, five on Sunday against the Mariners. Rich Harden will try to extend the streak when he goes to the mound Monday, starting a three-game series with the visiting Kansas City Royals. The Royals, who begin a seven-game road trip, have lost four of their last six. Oakland has won four of the six games between the two teams in 2011. The A’s are 38-30 at home.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS-KC (Kansas City), CSCA (Oakland).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Felipe Paulino (2-10, 4.30 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Rich Harden (4-2, 4.55 ERA).

Paulino, scratched from his last start due to back spasms, allowed six hits and two runs over 6 2/3 innings at Cleveland Aug. 26 to take the loss. Paulino is 2-6 since being acquired from Colorado with a 3.83 ERA. He has 98 strikeouts in 111 innings overall. Paulino has never pitched against Oakland, but David DeJesus is 3-for-3 against him.

Harden gave up three runs over six innings, but did not get a decision at Cleveland in his last start Wednesday. He is 2-0 in his last five starts with 35 strikeouts. Harden is 2-0 lifetime with a 2.78 ERA over 35 2/3 innings against Kansas City. Teams are batting .171 against Harden in Oakland this season. Alcides Escobar is 4-for-5 with three RBIs against Harden.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (58-83): Eric Hosmer is finishing his rookie season strong. The first baseman is 20-for-51 his last 13 games with five homers and 10 RBIs to raise his average to .283. Alex Gordon has also gotten warm again, with 16 hits in his last 38 at-bats during a nine-game hitting streak. He has three homers and seven RBIs in that span. Billy Butler is 7-for-20 the last five games for the Royals. Escobar is expected back in the lineup at shortstop after missing the last two with a sprained ankle. Chris Getz played the last two games at short, auditioning for a utility role next season.

ABOUT THE ATHLETICS (64-76): The A’s scored eight runs Sunday, even as two of their hottest hitters came up empty. Jemile Weeks, who was 17-for-46 during an 11-game hit streak, was 0-for-5 and Cliff Pennington – 10-for-23 in his previous five games – was 0-for-3. Hideki Matsui had three doubles, finishing the Seattle series 6-for-12 with three RBIs. Matsui is batting .343 since the all-star break. Coco Crisp missed Sunday’s game with a sore foot, but could return Monday. Crisp needs one stolen base to reach 40 for the first time in his career.

FINAL PITCH: Mitch Maier threw out Cleveland’s Carlos Santana at the plate Sunday. It was the Royals’ major league leading 46th outfield assist – 24 of them at home. Only the 1978 Montreal Expos have had more outfield put-outs at the plate (30) in a season since 1974.