The Kansas City Royals have signed left-handed reliever Ron Mahay to a two-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "Ron has a proven track record of success as a reliever and fares well not only against left-handers but right-handers as well," Royals' General Manager Dayton Moore said. "We feel that having a strong bullpen is imperative to playing winning baseball, and his addition further strengthens our ability to match up in the late innings." Mahay (MAY-hay), 36, is an 11-year veteran who split his time during the 2007 season between the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves, combining for a 3-0 record with one save and equaling a career-best with a 2.55 ERA in 58 appearances. He held opponents to a .218 (52-for-238) average and fared better against lefties, who posted just a .189 (20-for-106) average. In 67 innings, he allowed 52 hits and just four home runs while striking out 55. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder is 19-10 with four saves and a 3.87 ERA in 359 career appearances, including three starts, for the Red Sox (1997-98), A's (1999-2000), Marlins (2000), Cubs (2001-02), Rangers (2003-07) and Braves (2007). He has thrived the past five seasons, posting a 3.18 ERA or lower in three of those years. He has held left-handed hitters to a .227 (140-for-616) mark in his career and ranks 19th in the Majors since 1997 holding first batters to a .208 (64-for-307) average. Born in Crestwood, Ill., Mahay now resides in Litchfield Park, Ariz., with his wife Alison, daughters Madison and Mackenzie, and son Mason.