(Sports Network) - Controversial free-agent signee Gil Meche looks to continue a solid early season when the Kansas City Royals host the Oakland Athletics in game two of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

Meche signed a five-year, $55 million contract with the Royals in the offseason after going 11-8 with a 4.48 earned run average with Seattle in 2006.

In his last start for Kansas City, on May 3, he allowed two hits and two runs in seven innings in a 5-2 defeat of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

He's unbeaten in five starts since his lone loss of 2007, a 6-5 verdict against Detroit on April 7. Overall, he's allowed 47 hits and 12 earned runs in 48 1/3 innings.

Lifetime against Oakland, though, Meche is just 2-7 in 15 appearances - 14 starts - with a 4.56 ERA in 77 innings.

Athletics right-hander Dan Haren looks for a sixth straight start without a loss after beginning the season 0-2. Haren had won three straight starts before his last outing, when he got a no- decision after allowing four hits and two runs in seven innings of a 5-2 Oakland win over Tampa Bay.

In three career starts against the Royals, Haren is 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA in 21 2/3 innings.

On Tuesday, Chad Gaudin pitched eight solid innings as the Athletics downed the Royals, 6-1. Eric Chavez went 3-for-5 with a run scored, while Nick Swisher drove in two runs in the win, Oakland's third in four tries.

Gaudin (2-1) was charged with just one run on five hits with a walk and eight strikeouts..

Mark Teahen went 3-for-4 with an RBI while Jorge De La Rosa (3-3) suffered the loss after giving up six runs -- five earned -- on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings of work for the Royals, who have dropped four in a row and seven of their last nine.

Oakland, which won five of its nine matchups with the Royals last season, has recorded an outstanding 28-6 record in its last 34 games at Kauffman Stadium.