A’s defeat the Royals 5-2 behind Severino & Butler

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Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (4) is congratulated by Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) and second baseman Jeff McNeil (22) after hitting a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The Athletics and Royals were back at it tonight at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento after an extra-inning victory by the Royals last night. Luis Severino got the start for the Athletics against Michael Wacha for the Royals.

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Bobby Witt Jr. got things started in the first with a base hit and moved to third on a Carter Jensen single. He scored on a funky line drive to Jacob Wilson that he mishandled, allowing Witt to score, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, the A’s got on the board after back-to-back doubles by Jacob Wilson and Jeff McNeil.

In the bottom of the fourth, Wilson and McNeil went back-to-back again, this time singles. Lawrence Butler followed with his third homer to deep right-center field.

The A’s were not done though. Nick Kurtz walked and Shea Langeliers singled. Carlos Cortes singled, apparently scoring Kurtz, but the Royals challenged the call at the plate and the run was overturned, ending the inning. When the dust settled, the A’s held the lead 4-1.

Skipping ahead to the bottom of the sixth, Darell Hernaiz singled, and Nick Kurtz ripped a double to center field to score Hernaiz.

That increased the A’s lead to 5-1. Severino came out to pitch the seventh and was dominant, striking out two of the three batters he faced. That would be all for Seve tonight.

Joel Kuhnel replaced Luis Severino with a final line of 7.0 innings, one earned run, four hits, with eight strikeouts. Kuhnel walked Lane Thomas. That was the first leadoff hitter to reach for the Royals tonight. One batter later a 4-6-3 DP sent the A’s back into the dugout.

Kuhnel returned for the ninth inning, to face the heart of the Royals order. Witt and Salvador Perez each singled. Kuhnel bounced one to the plate allowing both runners to advance still with one out. Michael Massey hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field to score Bobby Witt Jr. That would be all for Kuhnel. Kotsay replaced him with Mark Leiter Jr. to get the final out of the game. Leiter walked Isaac Collins to bring the potential tying run to the plate in Jac Caglianone. Leiter punched him out to close out the game. The A’s win this one 5-2.

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