One and still looking for his first win this year. He

Kansas City is in need of a boost heading into the All-Star break.The reigning World Series champion Royals have dropped five of six entering Thursdays opener of their four-game series with the Seattle Mariners in Kansas City, which will bring both teams into the break.Kansas City suffered its fourth straight loss Wednesday night while stumbling through a three-game sweep by Toronto, which concluded with a 4-2 defeat.The Royals (43-41) havent been as dominant since ending a 30-year title drought last year, but theyre only a hot streak from contending in the American League Central.Were an aggressive team when were swinging the bats well, Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. Right now, were just not making any hard contact.Seattle, meanwhile, had won five of eight entering Wednesdays series finale at Houston, which it lost 9-8 after starter Wade LeBlanc gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings.The Mariners (43-42) took two of three when the teams first met this year on April 29-May 1, blanking Kansas City in the first two games. Last season, the Royals won four of six against the Mariners.Two 27-year-old southpaws toe the rubber Thursday as Seattles James Paxton (2-3, 4.24 ERA) counters Kansas Citys Danny Duffy (4-1, 3.11).Paxton is making his eighth start in place of ace Felix Hernandez, who landed on the disabled list June 1 with with a strained right calf.He is 2/3 with a 4.24 ERA in place of Hernandez, who threw a 45-pitch, three inning simulated game Wednesday and said he is ready to begin a minor league rehab assignment.That was pretty good, to get back out there and face some hitters, Hernandez told MLB.com. That last inning was 100 percent. I picked up the intensity and it was way better. It felt pretty good. Im happy.In his last outing, Paxton surrendered four runs (three earned), nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of Saturdays victory over Baltimore.Paxton has experienced smooth sailing against the Royals historically, going 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA in two starts against the defending champs.One of his best starts came against Kansas City in 2013, when he struck out a career-high 10 batters while holding the Royals scoreless on four hits and no walks in seven innings.Eric Hosmer is the only Kansas City batter with more than one hit off Paxton, going 2-for-4 against him.Duffy is looking to make it three straight starts of at least eight innings after allowing just four runs while striking out 16 in his last 16 2/3 innings entering Wednesday.On Saturday, Duffy limited Philadelphia to two runs and seven hits in a personal-best 8 2/3 innings, fanning eight for the third consecutive start. He also didnt walk a batter for the second straight outing.In his last six starts, Duffy has had his punch-out pitch working, striking out eight or more in five of those outings -- including a career-high 10 on June 11 at the Chicago White Sox.Duffy is 0-1 with a 1.69 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against the Mariners. Robinson Cano has given him fits, going 4-for-11 (.364) with a homer and four RBI.Chris Ianetta has two hits against Duffy, going 2-for-6 with a homer and two RBI, and Kyle Seager is 3-for-8. Custom Mavericks Jersey China . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Cheap Custom Mavericks Jersey . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. 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SAN ANTONIO -- Jalin Hart had a career-high 28 points as Incarnate Word held off Division II St. Edwards 93-90 to win its 10th straight home opener on Tuesday night.Incarnate Word (1-1) led for most of the second period but Sean Watkins nailed a 3-pointer as St. Edwards closed the gap to 92-90 with 20 seconds left. Hart was fouled on the next play and split a pair of free throws for the final score.Hart hit 3 of 7 from beyond the arc and was 11 of 17 from the floor. SShawn Johnson added 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.ddddddddddddThe score was tied at 42 at the break. James Taylor nailed a 3 and the Hilltoppers scored the first five points of the second half. The Cardinals took the lead for good with 9:51 remaining but never led by more than five points.Ramir Burton led St. Edwards with 23 points. ' ' '