A’s can’t rally late, lose 3-2 to Royals
The A’s have now lost back-to-back games on the heels of a five-game winning streak that included a strong offensive performance in a sweep at Texas.
The A’s haven’t been able to strike against a Kansas City staff boasting the third best ERA in the American League.
The rare opening came in the eighth inning against Royals reliever Wade Davis, who had given up just one run in 31 innings this season and entered with an ERA of 0.29.
Fuld and Brett Lawrie walked to start the inning, and Stephen Vogt got ahead 3-0 in the count.
The opportunity vanished when Ben Zobrist grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Royals starter Chris Young (7-3) allowed four hits and two runs (one earned) in six innings.
The Royals took their 3-2 lead in the sixth inning when Kazmir gave up an opposite-field single to Kendrys Morales, scoring Lorenzo Cain from third and Eric Hosmer from second.
The A’s snapped an early 1-1 tie in the fifth inning after Eric Sogard singled and stole second.
With two outs, Lawrie hit a routine grounder to shortstop Alcides Escobar, who threw past Hosmer at first base, allowing Sogard to score.