Kansas City Royals Team Report - April 20th

(Sports Network) - The Kansas City Royals, fresh off a lopsided 9-2 victory yesterday, conclude their three-game series with the Detroit Tigers this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Desi Relaford ignited a five-run third inning with a homer and keyed a four- run sixth with an RBI single for the Royals. Michael Tucker and Raul Ibanez added two hits and two runs batted in apiece for the Royals, while Angel Berroa went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Kansas City, which posted a 4-3 win in 11 innings in Friday's opener, is off to a franchise-best 13-3 start.

Miguel Asencio goes to the mound today for the Royals, while lefty Mike Maroth tries for his first victory for Detroit. It will be a pitching rematch from April 10th, won 4-2 by the Royals.

Last Monday, Asencio threw six innings, allowing four runs on five hits, but did not record the decision against the White Sox. The 22-year old Dominican hurler recorded his only victory this season against the Tigers. In that contest, the righthander allowed one run on six hits in five innings.

Asencio is 2-1 in three career starts against the Tigers. In those three outings, Asencio has pitched 15 innings, allowing five runs on 16 hits, posting an ERA 3.00.

Berroa is 6-for-10 in the last three games, and has bumped his average from .204 to .268 in that time span.

Carlos Beltran, who return from an injury he received in Spring Training has yet to record a hit, going 0-for-7 in his first two games played in the season.

The Royals are 4-0 against the Tigers this season. Kansas City is 17-4 at Kauffman Stadium against the Tigers since the start of the 2001 season.

04/20 13:06:30 ET