By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Royals got two key players back into their lineup and opened up their series against the Athletics with a 9-5 win at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals fell behind in the top of the first inning when Jeff McNeil hit a solo home run on the first pitch of the game. In the bottom of the half, Kansas CIty took the lead as Maikel Garcia, in his first game back from the 10-day IL, hit an RBI single to drive in Bobby Witt Jr and Salvador Perez added a two-run single, scoring Jac Caglianone and Garcia, to put the Royals ahead 3-1.
Witt's 15th home run of the season extended the lead, a two run shot scoring Kyle Isbel after his leadoff walk in the second inning, hitting the home run an estimated 390 feet to left-center field. Isbel added onto the lead again in the third inning as the Royals scored in a third consecutive inning with an RBI single, bringing home Michael Massey to push the lead to 6-1.
Royals starter Michael Wacha gave up two home runs in the fifth inning, allowing the Athletics to cut the Royals lead to two. Tommy White led off the inning with a solo home run and Brian Serven hit a two run home run, scoring Donovan Walton after he doubled in the inning, to cut the lead to 6-4. In the bottom of the sixth, Cagilanone added the first of two RBI singles, driving in Witt Jr. Then in the eighth inning after WItt Jr doubled to score Carter Jensen, Caglianone singled again to bring home Witt Jr. for a 9-4 lead.
Jonah Heim grounded into a double play scoring Carlos Cortes after Lucas Erceg loaded the bases in the ninth inning. Steven Cruz earned his fourth save of the season, coming in after Erceg failed to record an out. Wacha improved to 6-8 with the win, pitching the first five innings, giving up six hits, four earned runs and striking out three.
At the plate, Witt Jr. was 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs, also stealing a base. Caglianone was 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Garcia was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Vinnie Pasquantino, who also returned from a stint on the injured list, was 1-for-4 with a double.
Kansas City and the Athletics continue tomorrow. Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 2.88 ERA, 40Ks) is set to start for the Royals against Jack Perkins (2-9, 7.27 ERA, 94Ks) for the Athletics. First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame airs at 6pm on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.