The Royals just went off against the Athletics, putting up a massive 9-5 win last night after lighting up the scoreboard in five different innings. This wasn’t some quiet victory; this was the kind of offensive eruption that leaves a mark, even after the A’s tried to jump ahead early.
Back From the IL, Straight to the Board
Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia were back from the injured list, and while Vinnie had a weak flyout in his first plate appearance, Garcia wasted no time. After Jeff McNeil started things off with a solo shot for the A’s right on Michael Wacha’s first pitch, the Royals fired back in the first. Bobby Witt Jr. walked, Jac Caglianone singled, and a wild pitch moved ’em up. Then Garcia ripped a single to right, scoring Witt and getting himself to second on the throw home. Salvador Perez, in classic fashion, did his “reach a down-and-outside breaking pitch that was obviously a ball but get a hit anyway” thing, knocking in two more. Just like that, it was 3-1 Royals. You gotta love Salvy making contact on pitches nobody else can touch.
Witt Jr. Takes Command and the Runs Pile Up
That 3-1 lead? The Royals actually held onto it, and then some. In the second, Kyle Isbel walked, and Carter Jensen launched one that nearly cleared the right field bullpen before Lawrence Butler snagged it. But then Bobby Witt Jr. stepped up against former Royal Mason Barnett and absolutely tattooed a line drive homer to left-center. Two more runs, 5-1. The bottom of the lineup kept it going in a long third inning, stringing together a single, a walk, and another single to score yet another run, sending Barnett to the showers with the score 6-1. The A’s tried to fight back in the fifth, with Tommy White and Brian Serven both hitting homers off Wacha, closing the gap to 6-4. Wacha had been cruising, but suddenly he wasn’t, giving up four runs in five innings of loud contact. They were sitting on his pitches.
The Bullpen Locks It Down, Witt Jr. Keeps Cruising
Even after another former Royal, Scott Blewett, gave up a run in the sixth, the Royals’ stars kept pushing. Witt Jr. singled, then stole second for his 33rd steal of the season. He had this huge, hopping lead, and even with what looked like a pitchout, he’s just too fast! Cags flared a ball into right field, and Witt scored. Boom, 7-4. The Royals weren’t done, adding two more in the eighth with back-to-back doubles from Carter Jensen and Witt, followed by another Cags single. Witt really put some charges into the ball tonight, didn’t he? It’s always awesome to see him pummel it like that. Then, Connor Thomas, John Schreiber, and Nate Pearson came in and shut the door cold with three scoreless relief innings.
The A’s threw everything they had, even hitting three homers, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Royals’ relentless offense in that 9-5 win. With guys like Witt Jr. showing up huge, this team is looking dangerous. They’ll be looking to keep that momentum rolling in their next game.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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