If the Royals are going to turn things around this season, it’s going to take a total team effort. Monday, against the A’s, the Royals got exactly what it needed to win 6-4.
Eight of the 10 batters Kansas City sent to the plate had a hit, they had 13 overall. Six of the hitters drove in a run. Emil Brown led the way for the Royals going 3-for-4, scoring twice, and driving in a run.
The Royals acquired starter Seth Etherton Saturday, just in time for him to pitch five innings allowing one earned run on six hits to get the win.
Four relievers combined to pitch the remaining four innings to preserve a lead that Kansas City never lost after going up 2-0 in the top of the second inning. Ambiorix Burgos returned to his duties as the closer. After giving up a one-out solo home run to Nick Swisher, Burgos could’ve easily returned to the closer that lost his job earlier in the year. Fortunately for the Royals, he was able to clear the cobwebs and hold on for his sixth save of the season.
Kansas City pitchers gave up two homers, but each one was a solo shot. The A’s only managed to score single runs in the second, fifth, seventh, and ninth.
The Royals are 2-2 on their current road trip after winning just two games in their first 22 on the road. Both of the teams the Royals have faced this trip, the A’s and the Yankees, are in second place in their respective divisions.
For Manager Buddy Bell, it was his 400th career victory.