By MATT PIKE
Bobby Witt Jr homered for a second consecutive game and the Kansas City Royals pulled out an extra innings win against the Athletics, winning 4-1, and extending their win streak to four games.
After the Athletics took the lead in the second inning, Jacob Wilson driving in Zach Gelof with an RBI single, following Gelof's leadoff single to the inning, the Royals tied things up in the sixth inning after A's starter Aaron Civale left the game, being replaced by reliever Hogan Harris, Salvador Perez hitting a solo home run with one out to knot the game up at 1-1.
The game remained tied until the 10th inning, a combination of John Schreiber, Daniel Lynch, Matt Strahm, and Nick Mears holding the Athletics to just three hits and one walk, while striking out four. In the 10th inning, with Nick Loftin starting the inning at second base, Kyle Isbel reached on a bunt single. Both runners were forced to stay put as Maikel Garcia popped out a sacrifice bunt attempt, but in the very next at bat, Witt Jr hit a three run home run, putting Kansas City up 4-1.
Lucas Erceg came on for the save in the bottom of the 10th, and loaded the bases with two outs, walking Carlos Cortes and giving up a single to Gelof, but forced Darell Hernaiz to line out to second baseman Michael Massey to end the game. Massey replaced Loftin at second base, after Loftin moved to first base for Vinnie Pasquantino who exited the game due to low back tightness.
Mears improved to 2-1 out of the bullpen, giving up no hits in one inning and striking out two. At the plate, Perez was 2-for-5 with the home run and an RBI. Garcia was 2-for-5 with a triple while Witt Jr was 1-for-5 with the home run and three RBIs.
In injury news from the Royals prior to the game, Nick Loftin will become a mainstay on the roster for the remainder of the season more than likely as Jonathan India’s 2026 is over just a month into the season after the Royals second baseman underwent labral repair surgery on his left shoulder on Tuesday. India has been on the injured list with left shoulder subluxation since April 20th. He received an injection around that date and went for a second opinion on the injury this week, leading to the surgery.
A free agent this offseason, India likely ends his Royals career with a .228/.322/.343 slash line and 11 home runs after the club acquired him ahead of the 2025 season in a trade that sent right-hander Brady Singer to the Reds.
Kansas City looks to extend their win streak to five games continuing the series with the Athletics on Wednesday. Micheal Wacha (2-1, 2.51 ERA, 28K's) takes the mound for the Royals against Luis Severino (1-2, 5.17 ERA, 32K's) for the Athletics. First pitch is at 8:40pm, pregame coverage will begin at 8 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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