Athletics Defeat Royals 6-4 in KC

Finally Snap 14-Game Road Losing Streak

Fresh off a series sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels, the Athletics traveled to Kansas City to take on the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Luis Severino took the mound for the Athletics tonight against Michael Wacha for the Royals.

Both teams were wearing Play Ball patches on their caps for Friday’s game. The Play Ball Weekend in the MLB is designed to encourage and inspire future baseball and softball players across the world with activities hosted by both major league and minor league clubs and their partners.

The Royals jumped on Severino early, with a base hit by Maikel Garcia, who then stole second; a walk to Vinnie Pasquantino and then an RBI double by Salvador Perez. Perez’ double drove in Garcia to give KC a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the second, Austin Wynns homered to left field to tie the game at one each.

With one out in the top of the third, Jacob Wilson singled. He moved to second when Rooker walked. They each moved up on a Tyler Soderstrom ground out. Wacha then plunked Max Muncy to load the bases. Kurtz singled off the glove of Pasquantino at first to score Wilson giving the A’s a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the fourth, Luis Urías homered to deep left field off Wacha to extend the A’s lead further to 3-1. Butler singled with one out, and Rooker was walked on four (not very close) pitches. But Soderstrom grounded softly to first to end the inning.

Severino certainly settled in after his rocky first inning. He gave up just one hit since the two in the first inning: holding the Royals scoreless in four straight innings. With one out in the top of the sixth, Denzel Clarke and Lawrence Butler each singled; Butler with a perfect bunt down the third base line. Wilson singled to right field to load the bases with one out. Rooker struck out looking for the second out. Soderstrom walked to drive in Clarke. Muncy singled up the middle to score Butler and Wilson giving the A’s a 6-1 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Severino got two quick outs but then gave up a double off the wall in left field to Maikel Garcia. That ended his night. After 7.2 innings and 104 pitches, Luis Severino’s final line was one earned run on six hits, one strikeout and two walks. T.J. McFarland replaced him and got Pasquantino to ground out to end the inning.

Mason Miller entered the game in the bottom of the ninth despite not being a save situation. He walked Salvador Perez to start the inning. After a second consecutive 3-2 count, Miller walked Jac Caglianone to put runners on first and second with no outs. Nick Loftin followed with a triple to left centerfield that was misplayed by Soderstrom allowing two runs to score. A sacrifice fly scored Loftin to tighten the score to 6-4 with one out and the basses empty. Kyle Isbel struck out looking and Drew Waters popped out to end the game and end the A’s 14-game road losing streak.

The two teams will be back at it tomorrow at 1:10 PM PDT.