by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Oakland A’s pitcher Jharel Cotton throwing in the second inning had all his pitches going against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night at Kaufman Stadium

Kansas City, Mo- The Oakland A’s scored four times in the top of the eighth to beat the Royals 5-4 Tuesday night. Jharel Cotton, making his second big league start, pitched well again. He pitched five and two-thirds innings and allowed seven hits and three runs. Two of the runs were unearned. He had command of his fastball, curve, and changeup. The Royals’ starter, lefty Danny Duffy, also pitched very well. Duffy went seven and one-third innings, and he was charged with three runs on just three hits. Unfortunately for Duffy, two of the hits were solo homers by Davis and Healy.

The Royals scored twice in the fourth, but the A’s cut the deficit to one in the fifth when Khris Davis hit a solo home run. For Davis, it was his thirty-seventh of the year and his ninetieth RBI of the year. The Royal scored their third run of the game in the sixth and sent Cotton to the showers.

Duffy was in control until the fateful eighth inning. Ryon Healy hit his ninth dinger of the year to make it a 3-2 game. Duffy walked the next hitter, and he was done for the night. Brett Eibner singled off reliever Matt Strahm to put men on at first and second with one out. Royal manager Ned Yost brought in Joakim Soria to pitch. Bob Melvin sent in Yonder Alonso to pinch-hit. Alonso came through with a booming double to center field to drive in Joey Wendle and Brett Eibner. Marcus Semien singled to left, and Alonso scored when Alex Gordon, a four-time Golden Glove winner, bobbled the ball. The A’s lead 5-3 after eight.

The Royals scored a run in the bottom of the ninth when A’s closer committed a balk with a runner on third. Madson faked a throw to third and wheeled to first and picked off the runner. However, baseball ruled that move was illegal and is now a balk. Madson gathered himself and retired Eric Hosmer on an unassisted play at first by Alonso. Final score 5-4 for Oakland.

Game three of the four-game series will be played Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City at 4:10 PM PT.

Lefty Sean Manaea will pitch for Oakland, and Yordano Ventura will start for KC.

Time of game was 2 hours and fifty-six minutes. 29,673 people watched the A’s beat their beloved Royals for the second night in a row.