Athletics rally past Royals at home
OAKLAND — The A’s spent six innings trying to defrost their bats as they had registered just one hit and zero runs as the seventh inning approached.
With three hits and two runs in the seventh their bats finally came to life as the A’s (91-61) topped the visiting Kansas City Royals (56-96) 2-1 at the Coliseum on Tuesday night. By squaring the series at 1-1 in front of a crowd of 14,992, the A’s kept their perch on top of the AL wild-card race, ahead of Tampa Bay and Cleveland. If the A’s finish first in the wild card race, they would host the wild-card game for the first time.
Oakland had just two hits in the first six innings against Royals right-hander Jorge Lopez. Leaving three runners stranded in that time, the A’s were unable to find much success against a Royals team that has allowed the sixth-most runs in the majors this season.
On the A’s side of things, Brett Anderson, who made his 30th start of the season for Oakland, fought to find his groove, giving up five hits in five innings. His one run allowed came off of a sacrifice fly by Kansas City catcher Nick Dini that brought home first baseman Cheslor Cuthbert
In the bottom of the seventh, down 1-0, A’s first baseman Matt Olson opened the inning by sending a two-seam fastball from Lopez 450 feet to center field to tie the game 1-1.
After center fielder Mark Canha was hit by a pitch during the subsequent at-bat, catcher Seth Brown sent Canha home with a booming double that bounced off the center-field wall.
The A’s had a chance to increase their lead with bases loaded and one out, but Kansas City relief pitcher Jacob Barnes closed out the threat by striking out Ramon Laureano and forcing Marcus Semien to line out to right field.
Oakland finished the game with closer Liam Hendriks, who recorded his 23rd save of the season.