The Oakland Athletics began their road trip in Kansas City this week, facing up against the Kansas City Royals.  Coming into the series the Royals had won seven in a row.  They also won two of three in Oakland just over a week ago.

The four game series was met with ups and downs for the A’s offense, which struggled in games one and three, but broke out in game two for an offensive party.  Here is a brief recap of each game in the series.

Game 1 final score: Royals 3, Athletics 2

When you are hot, things tend to go your way and that was the story from the series opener in Kansas City.  The Royals scored one run in the first inning, aided by a bizarre play in right field by Josh Reddick.  Reddick came up throwing in order to hold Jarrod Dyson at second base on a single by Omar Infante.  However, the ball popped out of Reddick’s hand and fell several feet in front of him, allowing Dyson to move to third base.  

Good teams capitalize on mistakes like this and Salvador Perez put a ball in play, grounding into a double play that scored a run for the Kansas City.  The Royals tacked on another run in the second inning before A’s starting pitcher Sonny Gray started to settle down.  

The A’s put up two runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game on a Brandon Moss single.  Moss had been slumping prior to the series in Kansas City.  That was all the A’s offense could muster on Monday, as the team didn’t collect another hit until threatening in the top of the ninth inning.  Josh Donaldson singled to start the inning, followed by a walk drawn by Moss.  Unfortunately for the A’s, Derek Norris hit a ground ball right at third base and the Royals were able to easily turn the double play. They were able to follow that by getting Stephen Vogt to fly out to end the game.  

Game 2 final score: Athletics 11, Royals 3

The A’s bats exploded against Royals starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie. He failed to get out of fifth inning, giving up six runs on eleven hits. The A’s put up twenty hits when all was said and done on Tuesday -- scoring eleven times. The game was highlighted by a two home-run performance from Josh Donaldson.  

That was more than enough for A’s starter Jon Lester, who cruised through the first four innings of the game before getting hit for three earned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  In six innings pitched, Lester struck out nine Royals and threw 99 pitches. The A’s may have also held Lester back a bit given his 122 pitch performance in his prior start -- which was a complete game shutout against the Minnesota Twins.  

Game 3 final score: Royals 3, Athletics 0

As quickly and ferociously as the A’s offense appeared in Game two, it disappeared just as fast on Wednesday.  The A’s could have used some of the offense from Tuesday, as they were only able to put three runners on base and failed to capitalize in the early innings against Royals' starter Jason Vargas. In the top of the first inning, Josh Donaldson and Jonny Gomes each collected hits with two outs.  Derek Norris stepped the plate and promptly struck out to end the inning.

That was as close as the A’s would get to scoring a run against Vargas, who didn’t walk a batter in his complete game shutout of the A’s.  Vargas only gave up one more hit -- in the second inning -- and then shut down Oakland’s lineup the rest of the way.  

Game 4 final score: Royals 7, Athletics 3

A's starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija was in control of the series finale until the bottom of the seventh inning when things went awry for Oakland.  With a 3-2 lead -- largely thanks to the efforts of Alberto Callaspo and Josh Reddick -- and one out in the inning, Samardzija gave up back-to-back hits and was pulled for Ryan Cook. Cook came into Thursday’s game with a 21 inning scoreless streak, but gave up a single, triple and a walk on Thursday. In the process, the Royals took the lead and control of the game.  

Bob Melvin pulled Ryan Cook before he could record an out.  Fernando Abad entered the game and struck out the one batter he faced -- outfielder Alex Gordon. Melvin tried to cater to the match-ups and went back to the bullpen for reliever Luke Gregerson.  Billy Butler broke open the game with a two RBI single to give the Royals the 7-3 advantage and ultimately the series win.  

The A’s tried to make it a thrilling comeback, but Brandon Moss flied out with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth inning to end the game.  

What’s Next?

Oakland takes a two game lead over the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West further east to take on the Atlanta Braves for a three game weekend series.  Pitching match-ups remain unchanged from our Weekly Preview, highlighted by Sunday’s nationally televised game on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball -- which has Jon Lester on the mound against the Braves’ starter Mike Minor.

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About the author
John Flesta
Displaced Oakland A's, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Timberwolves fan in New Jersey.