(Sports Network) - Usually, a series against the Kansas City Royals would be just what the Minnesota Twins needed to get on track. cheap nfl jerseys . However, 2011 has been a different story in this rivalry. The Royals look to win five straight over the Twins for the first time in 12 years in the opener of a four-game series tonight at Kauffman Stadium. Minnesota compiled a 37-17 record versus Kansas City from 2008-10, going 20-7 at Kauffman Stadium in that time. The Twins then won the first meeting between these clubs this season, but the Royals have taken the last four, including their first three-game sweep of Minnesota at home since 1994. Another victory for the Royals tonight would give them five in a row over the Twins for the first time since April 21-May 10, 1999 and also give them three wins overall this season for the first time since a four-game run from April 29-May 3. Kansas City had dropped eight of nine before taking the final two contests of a three-game set with the Angels on Wednesday. The game was scoreless until Billy Butler hit what looked to be a one-out double off the top of the left- field fence that moved Jeff Francoeur to third base. However, the umpires decided to review the play and ruled it a walk-off homer for Butler in a 2-0 win. It feels good to win a series that way, especially a tight ballgame like that, said Butler. Kansas City opened an 11-game homestand with the win and improved to 19-14 as the guest this season. Now coming to town are the Twins, who have lost four straight and 10 of their last 12 games. Wednesdays 4-2 loss dropped the club to 17-37 on the season and 16 1/2 games back of first place in the American League Central. I would never imagine we would be 20 under [.500]. Its sure not fun and its frustrating to be where were at, said Twins designated hitter Jim Thome, who left Wednesdays loss with a mild strain of his left quadriceps. Thome is day-to-day, while Jason Kubel sat out a second game in a row because of a sprained left foot and could be placed on the disabled list today. Scott Baker took the loss in yesterdays game, giving up all four runs over six innings. Drew Butera hit a two-run homer for Minnesota, which is 0-3 to begin a 10-game road trip. The Twins will try to get their offense going tonight for starter Anthony Swarzak, who is coming off the best start of his career that netted a no- decision due to zero run support. Versus the Angels on Saturday, Swarzak carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning until giving up a one-out double to Peter Bourjos. It was the only hit the right-hander allowed over his eight scoreless innings and he also walked two and struck out four in his teams 1-0 victory in 10 innings. I knew [Bourjos] was going to be up there looking for something to hit and he got a good pitch to hit, said Swarzak, who had retired 15 straight before Bourjos double. If I could have it back, I would take it back. The 25-year-old is pitching in place of the injured Francisco Liriano (left shoulder inflammation) and is 4-2 with a 3.60 earned run average in four games this year, including two starts. He faces the Royals for the first time tonight. While Swarzak is coming off a gem, Royals starter Sean OSullivan is coming off a brutal outing in Texas on Saturday. The righty was blasted for career highs of 10 runs and 15 hits, including five homers, over 5 2/3 innings of a 10-1 loss, dropping him to 0-2 over his last three outings with a 13.80 ERA. I tried to get as many outs as I could knowing how deep our bullpen had to go recently, OSullivan said. It was about as fun as it looked. OSullivan, who also said he was battling a bit of biceps tendinitis, is 2-4 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 games, including eight starts this year. That includes an outing versus the Twins on April 30 when the 23-year-old allowed two runs -- one earned -- on two hits and a season-high seven walks in a no-decision. He is 1-1 with a 3.78 ERA in three career starts versus Minnesota. cheap wholesale jerseys . Ryan Johansen had a goal and an assist for his third multipoint game this season to lead the Blue Jackets past the Oilers 4-2 on Friday night. cheap nfl jerseys from china . The Seahawks made the roster moves Saturday before Sundays game against Tennessee. Walters saw action in four games for the San Diego Chargers in 2011 with two catches for 27 yards.UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders were even with the Florida Panthers in the first period, and coach Jack Capuano liked nothing about it. He let his players know it, and they responded with an impressive final 40 minutes. Josh Bailey had a goal and assist, and the Islanders kept up their strong finish with a 4-2 victory over the Panthers on Tuesday night. "We got off to a real slow start," Capuano said. New York, on the verge of elimination in the Eastern Conference playoff race after qualifying for the post-season a year ago, quickly bounced back from Quinton Howdens short-handed goal less than two minutes in and sent the Panthers to their fourth straight loss. Travis Hamonic, Matt Martin and Mike Halmo also scored, Colin McDonald had two assists, and Evgeni Nabokov made 20 saves for the Islanders, 4-0-1 in their past five. "Guys have done a good job keeping each other up, keeping the spirits up even though it can be tough," Bailey said. "When you think about last year down the stretch and how much fun it was, its difficult. We definitely dont want to find ourselves here ever again, but youve still got a job to do." Florida, which won two earlier meetings this season, is one of three NHL teams with fewer points than New York. "No one is happy with where we are," Martin said. "Its a rough year and a year were not proud of, but to be going down the stretch with some wins and playing good hockey definitely feels a little bit better." Brandon Pirri closed the scoring for Florida, making it 4-2 with his 11th goal -- on a power play -- with 5.9 seconds left in the game. Scott Clemmensen stopped 36 shots for Florida, which lost 6-3 at New Jersey on Monday. "We let them capitalize on too many chances," Panthers centre Nick Bjugstad said. "We have to stay positive and try to end the season with better efforts." The action started quickly for the Panthers, who scored short-handed for the second straight night -- the fourth time that has happened in team history. On his first NHL shift, defenceman Jonathan Racine was called for interference when he levelled forward Cal Clutterbuck 42 seconds in. Florida then struck first. Howden knocked the puck free at the left point and raced the other way alone. He easily stayed in front of Frans Nielssen and beat Nabokov at 1:50.dddddddddddd The Islanders tied it on the same power play, 45 seconds later, when Hamonic netted his third goal. Bailey won a faceoff and got the puck back to Hamonic, who snapped a shot through traffic at 2:35. "The surge started to go our way a little bit, but we didnt play our style in the first," Capuano said. "I wasnt happy at all, and I know the guys werent happy, either, but youve got to find a way. You cant have slow starts in this league." Florida gave the Islanders two other power plays in the period in which the Panthers were outshot 11-5. They were about to get an advantage with 2:19 left when Matt Carkner high-sticked Scottie Upshall in front of the penalty box and knocked him to the ice. But Panthers teammate Erik Gudbranson charged Carkner, and they immediately fought. Gudbranson was given an extra penalty for instigating, wiping out the power play. The Islanders added two goals in the second, including Baileys seventh 17 seconds after he served a penalty. McDonald got two whacks at the puck, and Bailey slammed in the rebound at 11:18. New York stretched the lead to 3-1 with 2:24 remaining. McDonald knocked the puck away from Racine at the left point and took off alone. The hard-charging Martin came down the middle and ripped in the rebound of McDonalds shot for his eighth goal. "They kept coming at us, kept crashing the crease," Clemmensen said. "They never stopped working, never gave up on plays all night." Halmo converted his rebound 4:21 into the third to make it 4-1. It was his first NHL goal in his 13th career game. "Everyone in here wants to play hard and be successful and give management something to think about for next season," Martin said. "Were in a profession where no ones job is really safe, so if you want to play here, youve got to show it." NOTES: For the third straight year, Martin was given the teams Bob Nystrom Award, honouring leadership, hustle and dedication. ... Racine and RW Bobby Butler were recalled from San Antonio (AHL) on Tuesday. Butler was scratched. ... With Montreal clinching a playoff spot, the trade between the Canadiens and Islanders in which Thomas Vanek was dealt by New York is completed. The Islanders will receive an extra second-round draft pick and give up their fifth-rounder to Montreal. ' ' '
