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KC@TEX: Chen fans seven over 6 2/3 impressive innings

Prior to May 3, D-backs ace Ian Kennedy had won nine straight and 16 of 17 regular-season decisions. But in his last three starts, the right-hander has gone 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 20 innings.

The 27-year-old Kennedy will try to get back on track Saturday, when the D-backs square off against the Royals in the second game of the weekend Interleague series at Kauffman Stadium.

In his last outing, Kennedy tossed six innings against the Dodgers, allowing two earned runs on six hits. Even though he took the loss while facing Clayton Kershaw, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson came away encouraged by Kennedy's performance.

"I think he pitched very well," Gibson said. "It's the best he's thrown the ball. Ian was outstanding."

D-backs outfielder Jason Kubel, who spent his previous Major League seasons with the Twins, has played in 42 games at Kauffman Stadium.

"It's back to normal for me," Kubel said. "Other than that, I'm a little familiar with this place. Doesn't really matter where we're playing at, [I'm] just trying to have fun everywhere."

For the Royals, it'll be Bruce Chen taking the mound. While the 34-year-old veteran lefty has been around for a while, he hasn't pitched against Arizona since 2002.

"I was looking at videos on the Diamondbacks and I don't know a lot of the guys," Chen said. "I think I've only pitched to Willie Bloomquist and Henry Blanco. It's sometimes hard because you don't see them at all. I didn't pitch against the White Sox [last weekend], but I've seen them three times already because we've already played them."

Chen is coming off a victory over the Rangers in his last start, tossing 6 2/3 innings and giving up just one run.

Royals: Duffy, Wood need Tommy John
Left-handed starter Danny Duffy's date with Tommy John surgery was confirmed on Friday and the Royals also announced right-handed reliever Blake Wood will have the surgery as well.

The surgeries will be performed within two weeks in Los Angeles.

"Once a player gets to the big leagues and has Tommy John, his percentage of making it back are higher than a Minor League player who has never been to the big leagues," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "So we look for both these guys to come back as strong, or even stronger than before the injuries occurred."

Duffy came out of last Sunday's game at Chicago in the first inning and the initial diagnosis on Monday pointed to surgery. He finishes the season with a 2-2 record and 3.90 ERA in six starts.

Wood was shut down during Spring Training with what was termed a right ulnar nerve irritation.

D-backs: Young returns
The D-backs reinstated outfielder Chris Young from the 15-day disabled list on Friday and optioned outfielder A.J. Pollock to Triple-A Reno.

Young had been on the DL with a right shoulder contusion since April 18. He was the designated hitter and batted fifth on Friday at Kauffman Stadium.

"[My] shoulder's come a long way. It's been good," Young said.

Young smacked a two-run double in Friday's 6-4 win over the Royals.

Worth noting
• D-backs manager Kirk Gibson played one season for the Royals in 1991 and slugged 16 homers with 55 RBIs in 132 games. Willie Bloomquist played two seasons with the Royals, including a career-high 125 games in 2009.

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