Royals Overcome Athletics in 10-Inning Thriller

On Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, the Kansas City Royals beat the Oakland Athletics 4–1 in ten innings, extending their winning streak to four games. Bobby Witt Jr. ended the tie with a three-run homer off reliever Justin Sterner in the top of the 10th. Salvador Perez had earlier tied the game in the sixth with his 308th career home run.

ESPN

Witt’s three-run blast came with Nick Loftin on second and Kyle Isbel on first after he beat out a bunt. Earlier, his 1-0 pitch from Sterner produced the decisive hit. The Athletics’ lone run was a second-inning single by Zack Gelof driven home by Jacob Wilson. Oakland starter Aaron Civale allowed five hits and one walk over five innings before leaving with a 1-0 lead. Kansas City starter Kris Bubic issued four walks, gave up one run, and struck out six; reliever Nick Mears closed with two strikeouts.

ESPN

Oakland left fielder Tyler Soderstrom left after a hard dive in the fifth inning; the team’s medical staff found no concussion. Manager Mark Kotsay said the player would be evaluated further. Kansas City first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino exited in the sixth with lower-back tightness. The Royals confirmed the injury and moved Michael Massey to second base, inserting Nick Loftin at first.

Sports Illustrated

The win keeps Kansas City within 2.5 games of the AL Central lead and marks their third road victory, a boost after an 11-17 start. For Oakland, the loss highlights continued offensive woes, as the A’s managed only one run on two hits with runners in scoring position.

ESPN

• “All year, it seems like we’ve been waiting for a seminal Bobby Witt Jr.” — Recap author

Royals home runs conquer A’s in extra innings 4-1

• “On Kansas City’s end offensively, there’s not a lot to talk about before Witt’s go-ahead shot, other than Salvador Perez whacking a solo homer of his own to tie the game in the sixth inning.” — Recap author

Royals home runs conquer A’s in extra innings 4-1

• “Do note, however, that Kansas City has now won four consecutive games, with tonight’s game being their third win on the road this year.” — Recap author

Royals home runs conquer A’s in extra innings 4-1

• “There's no signs of a concussion right now, but obviously that dive, if you watch it, he slammed down pretty hard, fully extended. We'll have more tomorrow.” — Mark Kotsay, A's manager

Sports Illustrated

The Royals will start right-hander Michael Wacha (2-1, 2.51 ERA) Wednesday, while the Athletics will counter with left-hander Luis Severino (1-2, 5.17 ERA) in the series’ second game.

Athletics series preview: The first place A’s?