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(Sports Network) - Eric Hurley makes his major league debut this afternoon, as the Texas Rangers try and complete their first-ever three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Texas swept the Royals in a three-game set in Arlington in May of 2005, but has never turned the trick in KC.

Hurley, a first-round pick of the Rangers in 2004, has been thrust into action tonight thanks to the departure of Sidney Ponson. Hurley was 2-5 with a 5.30 earned run average in 13 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma. However, the 22-year- old right-hander made some mechanical adjustments and has had three quality starts in his last four outings.

In his last outing on June 7 against New Orleans, he gave up two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Kansas City will pin its hopes on right-hander Brian Bannister, who is 5-6 with a 4.98 ERA. Bannister was banged around by the New York Yankees in his last trip to the hill on Saturday, as he surrendered five runs and eight hits in 3 1/3 frames. He did not get a decision in his team's 12-11 loss that day, though.

The Royals have lost eight of Bannister's last 10 starts.

Bannister was hammered for seven runs and seven hits over three innings in losing to Texas earlier in the season. He is 1-1 lifetime against them with a 6.30 ERA in two starts.

In the second game of this set on Wednesday, David Murphy homered twice, including his first career grand slam, as Texas rallied for an 11-5 win. Ian Kinsler collected three hits and two RBI and Marlon Byrd added three hits and scored three times for the Rangers, who have won three in a row and four of six.

Gerald Laird drove in two and Josh Hamilton had three hits, an RBI and scored a run for Texas. Starter Vicente Padilla (8-3) got the win despite allowing seven hits and five runs -- four earned -- over six innings.

Mark Grudzielanek hit a two-run homer and drove in four for the Royals, who have dropped four of five. Jose Guillen notched three hits, and Mike Aviles hit safely twice and scored a pair of runs.

Jimmy Gobble (0-2) took the loss for Kansas City, charged with three hits, four runs and a walk without retiring a batter. Kyle Davies was outstanding in his start, giving up a run on six hits over six frames.

There were some fireworks after the game, as volatile Texas outfielder Milton Bradley stormed up to the television booth to confront Royals broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre, who made some disparaging remarks on the air about the AL's reigning Player of the Week.

Bradley, though, was intercepted by Texas general manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington. He then returned to his own clubhouse and screamed at his teammates, while breaking down in tears.