By Kahlil Najar

OAKLAND – Sonny Gray was still in top form tonight however with some questionable called strikes by home plate umpire Mike Estabrook and the A’s 4-5-6 hitters all going without a hit tonight, the A’s lost to the Royals 1-0.

“Sonny was terrific, other than one pitch,” said Melvin on the Gray’s performance tonight. “Guthrie mixed his repertoire up really well. Good change ups and kept us off balance. It came down to one swing.”

Sonny Gray threw seven great innings and only gave up three hits and struck out an impressive seven batters but on one pitch in the top of the fifth everything changed for the night. On a first pitch 92-mph two seam fastball from Gray, veteran Raul Ibanez knocked the ball over the out-of-town scoreboard to give the Royals the only run of the game.

For the Royals, starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie matched Gray with six innings pitched and striking out six including three strike outs to Jed Lowrie. On all of Lowrie’s strikeouts, he and umpire Estabrook would exchange pleasantries and battled throughout the night.

Gray scattered the three hits over the first, third and fifth inning while Guthrie scattered his hits to the A’s in the fourth, fifth and sixth.

Offensively for the A’s, Josh Reddick had a night with three hits including a double in the bottom of the ninth that made it exciting.

“We haven’t been swinging great here recently, other than one inning in Houston. We’re kind of in a down period offensively at this point,” said Melvin on the middle of the order.

Sam Fuld started his first game back with Oakland and Melvin was impressed.

“It’s a natural for us (referring to Fuld leading off). Lefties too. Good chance he’s leading off tomorrow. Numbers suggest he’s the guy for us.”

Fuld ended with a double and a walk on the night.

The A’s hope to rebound tomorrow afternoon when Jon Lester takes to the mound for the first time in an A’s uniform against Jason Vargas, game time 1:05pm.