by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics lost the third and final game of series to the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Sunday. The A’s also lost the series 2 games to one.

Now on to the real story of the game. Five Kansas City Royals were ejected from the game as the Alcides Escobar – Brett Lawrie feud continued. The problem began on Friday when Lawrie took out Escobar on a play at second base. Escobar missed the Saturday game with an ankle injury. He also was held out of the Sunday game which is causing observers to speculate that his injury is more serious than first believed.

After Lawrie was hit on Saturday night and both benches were cleared, most fans and reporters felt the issue would be laid to rest. They would be wrong.

Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain was hit by a Scott Kazmir pitch in the bottom of the first inning. It did not appear that Kazmir was trying to hit Cain intentionally.

In the ensuing argument that followed the hit-by-pitch, Royals manager Ned Yost and pitching coach Dave Eiland were ejected from the game. The tension meter went back into the high range following the incident.

In the eighth inning, Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera threw a fastball behind Lawrie’s back in what appeared to be an attempt to hit and possibly injure Lawrie. Herrera was ejected immediately. As he was led from the field, Herrera gestured toward his head indicating that was where he was aiming or would aim the next time.

In the arguments that followed the Herrera ejection, acting manager Don Wakamatsu was sent to the showers by umpire Jim Joyce. Alcides Escobar was ejected from the bench for his loud comments to the umpiring crew.

To his credit, Royals manager Ned Yost complimented the umpires for handling the situation decisively.

The problem is that the situation does not seem to be settled. The fireworks could continue in Oakland in June when the Royals visit the Athletics – especially if Escobar’s injury turns out to be serious.

This where Commissioner Rob Manfred needs to earn his money. Manfred needs to talk with the management of the Athletics and Royals declaring that all hostilities are over and will not be rekindled. Manfred needs to make sure this silliness does not continue.

Oh by the way, there was a baseball game played on Sunday.

Scott Kazmir pitched an outstanding game giving up just two runs on six hits in 7.1-innings of work for Oakland. Kazmir struck out five hitters and walked just one batter. Ironically, the one walked batter came home and scored the tying run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Eric O’Flaherty came in to relieve Kazmir and he was unable to shutdown the Royals. Kansas City scored two additional runs that led to their 4-2 victory. O’Flaherty was tagged with loss and a blown save.

Ben Zorbrist was the man of the hour for the A’s at the plate. Zorbrist had both of Oakland’s RBI in the game.  He had a two for two day at the plate.

The victory went to Kansas City reliever Wade Davis who pitched a perfect ninth inning.

Royals designated hitter – Kendrys Morales – was the star of the day for Kansas City. He hit a double off the top of the center field wall in the bottom of the eighth inning that cleared the bases scoring two runs.

The A’s will have no time to lick their wounds as they jump back into action versus the Angels in Anaheim on Monday night.