A’s Drop Road Trip Opener 9-5

The Athletics began the week with a Monday night matchup against the Kansas City Royals in the first game of this four-game series. The A’s dropped the series opener 9-5 in another game where a poor performance from the Green and Gold’s starting pitcher’s put them in an unrecoverable hole. The team’s offense battled back but ultimately came up short.

A’s Strike First

The A’s offense got to Royals starter Michael Wacha immediately. First baseman Jeff McNeil hit the first pitch of the game over the right-field fence. His sixth home run of the season and fourth career leadoff homer put the visitors up 1-0 before most fans had found their seats. The A’s had a chance to score more, but Carlos Cortes grounded into the first of two inning-ending double plays he hit into in this game.

Barnett Back to Barn ASAP

A’s starter Mason Barnett, pitching against the franchise that drafted him, allowed the Royals to answer right back. In his first game back from the injured list, Maikel Garcia’s RBI single scored Bobby Witt Jr. to tie the game at 1. Barnett was unable to stop the bleeding, as Royals designated hitter Salvador Perez hit a two-out, two-run single to put the hosts up 3-1 after the first inning.

Barnett’s struggles continued in the bottom of that inning. With one out, Witt Jr. hit his 15th home run of the season, a two-run shot to left center field, extending Kansas City’s lead to 5-1.

In the bottom of the third, Kyle Isbel’s two-out RBI single brought home the Royals’ sixth run of the night and ended Barnett’s outing. The A’s right-hander allowed six runs on seven hits, four walks, two wild pitches and one home run over just 2 2/3 innings. The Royals went 4-for-6 with runners in scoring position against the A’s starter.

Athletics right-hander Hayden Juenger replaced Barnett and escaped the jam by recording the final out of the inning. Meanwhile, Wacha kept the momentum on his team’s side, tossing three straight scoreless innings against the A’s injury-depleted lineup.

A’s Comeback Attempt

Following a scoreless inning of relief from Juenger, A’s third baseman Tommy White led off the fifth with his team’s first hit since the first inning. White hit his second homer in as many games, a solo shot to left-center that cut the deficit to 6-2.

The Athletics comeback attempt continued against Wacha. Second baseman Donovan Walton doubled and then scored on catcher Brian Serven’s third home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field that cut the Royals’ lead in half.

Bullpen Time

Juenger kept the momentum on the A’s side, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings to stabilize the game after Barnett’s disastrous start.

The fifth was Wacha’s final inning. He allowed four runs on six hits over five innings while striking out three. Left-handed reliever Connor Thomas pitched a scoreless sixth inning as the hosts turned to their bullpen to protect a two-run lead.

Facing A’s reliever Scott Blewett, the Royals increased their lead to three runs in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Witt Jr. singled, stole second and scored on Jac Caglianone’s RBI single. Through six innings, four of Kansas City’s seven runs came with two outs, highlighting the Royals’ offensive execution and the Athletics’ woeful pitching.

Late Game Action

In the top of the eighth inning, the A’s brought the tying run to the plate against Royals reliever Nate Pearson. He hit Henry Bolte with a pitch before walking Lawrence Butler. The Green and Gold failed to capitalize as Zack Gelof grounded out to end the frame.

Kansas City grabbed a couple of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning against A’s right-hander Seth Johnson. Witt Jr. recorded his third hit and third RBI of the game before scoring his fourth run, and his team’s ninth, on Caglianone’s second RBI single of the night.

Ninth-Inning Drama

Former A’s reliever Lucas Erceg pitched the top of the ninth inning. He did not record an out, as the only three batters he faced reached base on a single and a pair of walks. That trade is not working out well for either team, as Barnett also struggled tonight. Right-handed reliever Steven Cruz replaced Erceg with the bases-loaded and no outs.

Cruz earned his fifth save of the season by getting out of that stressful situation with only one run crossing the plate. The A’s had a chance to stage a dramatic comeback, but went down quietly. Pinch-hitter Jonah Heim, who replaced shortstop Alika Williams, grounded into the A’s third double play of the game. Serven followed with a groundout to end the game.