The Oakland A’s held off the Kansas City Royals for the second straight game at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Sat May 6, 2023 (@Athletics photo)

Oakland Wins Second Straight Game Against Royals 5-4

By Barbara Mason

After winning game one Friday night, 12-8, the Oakland A’s (8-26) took on the Kansas City Royals (8-26), the A’s came away with 17 hits in game one and were looking to continue more great offensive play. Ken Waldichuk took the mound for Oakland on Saturday night at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City in a 5-4 win. That’s two straight wins for the A’s.

Saturday game wrap up: Kansas City flipped the script and was first up on the scoreboard in the opening inning leading 1-0. Maikel Garcia doubled Vinnie Pasquantino home.

The A’s went on a three inning run scoring in the second, third and fourth innings and leading 5-1. Esteury Ruiz singled to right driving in two runs in the second inning. In the third inning J J Bleday hit a solo home run giving Oakland a 3-1 lead. The A’s were not done.

In the fourth inning they would add to their lead when Ryan Noda tripled Kevin Smith home. Noda would score when Brent Rooker doubled and Oakland had a 5-1 lead.

The Royals would add some real drama in the bottom of the fourth starting with a solo home run from Freddy Fermin. Kansas City would follow that long ball with a Bobby Witt Jr. two- run home run. The Royals had cut the A’s lead to 5-4.

This game would be a one run affair going into the bottom of the ninth. It was all on the line for Oakland with two on base and two outs. It would be pitcher Zach Jackson against Bobby Witt Jr. who had already hit a home run in this game. Jackson won the battle and the A’s had clenched the series and will be going for the sweep Sunday.

This was a great defensive effort for the A’s. They were able to hold onto a one run game for the win.

Mason Miller (0-1 ERA 3.52) will take the mound Sunday for the A’s and Ryan Yarbrough (0-4 ERA 7.40) will go for the Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 AM at Kaufman.