O's game blog: The series-deciding game in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY - The Orioles routed Kansas City 14-2 on Friday behind a 21-hit attack. They allowed three unearned runs last night as they lost 7-5 to the Royals. This afternoon, the clubs play the third and deciding game of this series.

The Orioles (45-90) are 2-2 on an eight-game, three-city road trip. They have won four of six and six of the last 10. Over longer stretches, they have lost 12 of 18 and 17 of 24.

The Orioles finished August with a 10-18 record. They have lost eight of their last nine games at Kauffman Stadium and have not won a series there since sweeping a two-game set from May 16-17, 2012.

Kansas City (48-89) had lost eight of 10 and 12 of 16 before Saturday's win. The Royals finished August 8-19 to avoid what would've been their ninth 20-loss month in franchise history. Saturday's win forces Kansas City's 14th rubber match of the season, and they're 1-12 in the previous 13 and 1-25 in their last 26 dating to last June.

Right-hander Aaron Brooks (4-7, 5.79 ERA), who was drafted in round nine by Kansas City in 2011, gets today's start for Baltimore. Brooks is coming off Wednesday's gem at Nats Park. He threw six scoreless innings, allowing just two hits with one walk and six strikeouts on 98 pitches.

In his first seven starts for the Orioles, Brooks was 0-4 with a 9.22 ERA and .345 batting average against. But over his past two - including one against Kanas City - he has allowed nine hits and one run over 11 innings.

On Aug. 21 in Baltimore, he threw five solid innings against the Royals. He gave up seven hits and one run with one walk and four strikeouts on 92 pitches. Brooks made his major league debut in 2014 for Kansas City. In 2 2/3 innings, he allowed 12 hits and 13 runs for an ERA of 43.88.

His mound opponent today is lefty Danny Duffy (5-6, 4.93 ERA). He will be making his 19th start and K.C. is 9-9 in his outings this season. He is scheduled to be activated off the injured list today. Duffy has been out with a left hamstring injury since Aug. 6. His last start was Aug. 3 at Minnesota and he took the loss, allowing a season-high nine runs (eight earned) in 4 2/3 innings, including four homers.