Royals 11, Athletics 6
Alex Gordon delivered a go-ahead RBI double to start a five-run rally in the ninth inning and Billy Butler homered twice as the visiting Kansas City Royals defeated the Oakland A’s 11-6 on Monday.
Butler, who had not homered since Aug. 23, had three hits and three RBIs. His two-run blast off reliever Craig Breslow tied the game 6-6 in the top of the seventh.
Salvador Perez had two hits for Kansas City, including a lead-off single in the ninth off losing pitcher Andrew Bailey (0-4). Chris Getz ran for Perez and scored on Gordon’s double.
Melky Cabrera followed with an RBI single, Eric Hosmer (three hits) added his second RBI double and Mike Moustakas capped the onslaught with a two-run single.
Greg Holland (4-1) pitched a scoreless eighth to earn the victory. Everett Teaford pitched 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief for the Royals.
Scott Sizemore had a three-run homer in the second inning for the A’s, who had their four-game win streak snapped. Oakland did not have a hit the last four innings.
A’s starter Rich Harden struck out 10, one short of his season high, and gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings.