The Kansas City Royals dropped the series finale against the Athletics 6-3 on Sunday, falling to 12-19 on the season. Despite jumping out to an early lead twice, the Royals couldn't hold on as Oakland's bullpen shut them down over the final six innings.
Kansas City struck first in the top of the first inning. Maikel Garcia led off the game with a double, then scored on a two-out RBI single from Starling Marte—the first of three singles on the afternoon for Marte. But with the bases loaded, Carter Jensen struck out to end the inning, a sign of things to come for the rookie at the plate.
The Athletics answered quickly in the bottom half. Garcia, who had just delivered at the plate, saw a routine grounder slip past him at third, allowing A's DH Shea Langeliers to reach second. Oakland loaded the bases with one out, but Royals starter Noah Cameron limited the damage, surrendering just one run to tie the game 1-1.
Garcia redeemed himself in the top of the second, crushing a solo home run to put the Royals back on top 2-1. Despite an injury scare earlier, Garcia stayed in the game and finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, a homer, two runs scored, a stolen base, and an RBI. It was a standout performance in a losing effort.
The lead wouldn't last. In the bottom of the second, Oakland took control and never looked back. Langeliers doubled in Lawrence Butler to tie the game, then Nick Kurtz doubled to bring home Langeliers and Jacob Wilson. Kurtz later scored on a slow dribbler that Royals first baseman Salvador Perez couldn't handle after an off-line throw from Nick Loftin. Just like that, the A's led 4-2.
The game settled into a pitcher's duel after that flurry. A's starter Jeffrey Springs left early due to injury after a high pitch count, but Oakland's bullpen took over in dominant fashion. Over six innings, the relievers allowed just five hits and two runs while keeping the Royals' bats quiet.
The Athletics added an insurance run in the seventh before Elias Diaz homered in the eighth to cut the lead to 6-3. That was as close as Kansas City would get. Jac Caglianone reached base in the ninth, but with the Royals down to their final out, Vinnie Pasquantino couldn't spark a rally.
The series loss drops the Royals to 12-19 as they look to regroup on the road. For fans watching at home or at the ballpark, a Royals jersey or cap is the perfect way to show support during this early-season stretch.