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KC@NYY: Hochevar whiffs eight over 6 2/3 solid frames

Ned Yost doesn't care for excuses. Kansas City must find more success in their home ballpark.

No one can blame the manager, as his Royals enter Saturday's game with the A's owning the Major Leagues' worst home record at 6-17 -- even with Friday's series-opening 2-0 victory. Meanwhile, the Royals have fared much better on the road, going 16-11.

"We just have to play better at home, it's as simple as that," Yost said. "We can come up with all the excuses we want, but it doesn't solve anything."

Right-hander Luke Hochevar will take the mound for the Royals on Saturday as they look to make it two straight in the series and four in a row overall. Hochevar was knocked out after 4 2/3 innings in his last outing against Baltimore on Sunday.

Yost sees no reason why his team can't continue its recent string of success into a six-game homestand at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City has won five of its last six games, though four of those victories came on the road.

"We've been playing better," Yost said. "Our starting pitching is starting to settle in, our bullpen's been phenomenal but, more importantly, our offense is starting to pick up. The other day in Cleveland, we scored five two-out runs and that's a really good sign. I'm excited to see how we do on this homestand."

Yost may be even more excited considering the state of the opposition's offense. Friday's loss marked the sixth time that the A's have been shut out in their last 16 games. Oakland is hoping the return of Yoenis Cespedes helps ignite its slumping offense, which has scored a Major League-low 164 runs.

Cespedes didn't make an immediate contribution on Friday -- going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his first game since being placed on the disabled list on May 12 with a strained muscle in his left hand.

But right now, Oakland needs any help it can get.

"It'll be good to get a guy who has legit power in there," outfielder Seth Smith said. "Any pitch swinging, he can hit it out of the park. Just having a good bat in the lineup will be good for us."

A's: McCarthy set for return start
Brandon McCarthy will be activated from the disabled list in time to start on Saturday, manager Bob Melvin said on Friday. The right-hander hasn't started since May 17 after going on the DL with a strained right shoulder.

McCarthy was 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA in nine starts before the injury.

• After being shut out a total of 15 times last season, Friday marked the Major League-leading 10th time the A's have been blanked this year.

Royals: Mazzaro, Smith likely to get starts
Yost hasn't finalized his decision on starting pitchers for Sunday and Monday, though the picture is becoming clearer. The Royals manager will likely hand the ball to Vin Mazzaro for Sunday's finale against Oakland before giving the nod to Will Smith against Minnesota.

Mazzaro earned a win in his only start of the season, allowing three runs on seven hits in a five-inning effort against Texas on May 15. Smith is 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two starts this season.

• Infielder Yuniesky Betancourt registered an RBI double on Friday in his first Major League at-bat since May 1. It was Betancourt's first game back after being placed on the disabled list with a high right ankle sprain.

Worth noting
The A's have won the season series against the Royals in each of the last three years.

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