(Best E Casino) - Right-handed reclamation project Anthony Reyes makes his third start in an American League uniform tonight when the
Cleveland Indians host the
Kansas City Royals in the opener of a three-game series at Progressive Field.
Reyes, who made 17 starts for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2006, tumbled to 2-14 in 22 appearances for the Cardinals last season and had made just 10 trips from the bullpen this year before being dealt to Cleveland late last month.
He pitched 6 1/3 strong innings and scattered seven hits in a 5-2 win at Toronto in his AL debut on Aug. 8, then followed it up with a tough-luck loss to Baltimore on Aug. 13 after allowing six hits and two runs in six innings of a 6-1 loss.
In the 10 relief outings with St. Louis, Reyes had gone 2-1 with a save and a 4.91 earned run average in 14 2/3 innings.
He won his lone career start against the Royals while with the Cardinals, allowing four hits in 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
Reyes will be opposed by recent first-round draft pick Luke Hochevar, who's lost four straight decisions since the All-Star break for Kansas City.
The first overall pick in the 2006 draft, Hochevar was 5-5 after beating Colorado on June 25 and was 6-7 after a downing of Seattle on July 11, but has since allowed 34 hits and 21 runs in 28 2/3 innings in five starts.
Hochevar reached the majors with four appearances - one start - at the close of last season and was 0-1 with a 2.13 ERA in 12 2/3 innings.
He's 1-1 in two career starts against the Indians, allowing six hits and four runs in nine innings.
On Sunday in New York, Alex Rodriguez finished 3-for-3, homered, scored three times and drove in five as the Yankees used an early barrage to subdue Kansas City, 15-6, in the series finale of a three-game set from Yankee Stadium.
Billy Butler and Ross Gload each knocked in two runs for the Royals, who have dropped five of six.
Royals starter Brian Bannister (7-12) suffered the loss, shelled for 10 hits and 10 runs over one-plus innings. He is now 0-6 with three no-decisions in his last nine starts.
In Cleveland, Franklin Gutierrez was 3-for-3 and added a two-run single, as the Indians managed a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the rubber match of a three-game set.
Jeremy Sowers (2-6) picked up his first home victory since Aug. 25, 2006, giving up three runs - two earned - on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Grady Sizemore and Ryan Garko each had two hits and an RBI for the Indians, who had dropped three of four.
Cleveland has split its eight matchups with the Royals this season.
