The Kansas City Royals pounded out 17 hits and Zack Greinke (11-7) picked up his 11th win of the season as Royals bombed the Oakland Athletics 12-5 Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Oakland jumped out to the early lead in the 2nd inning when Zack Greinke loaded the bases with nobody out and then gave up a single to Mark Ellis to bring in two A’s runs. The Athletics scored a third run in the inning when Ryan Sweeney scored from third base on an Adam Kennedy fielder’s choice.
Kansas City got on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the 3rd inning. David DeJesus doubled to center field to drive in Yuniesky Betancourt who led off the inning with a single. DeJesus, who had moved to third base on a fielder’s choice, came home on a Billy Butler sacrifice fly to center field.
The Royals’ bats produced 4 runs in the 4th inning. Mike Jacobs and Miguel Olivo belted back to back home runs. Jacobs’ blast was a two-run shot that brought home Alberto Callaspo, who had singled to lead off the inning, and gave Kansas City the lead for the first time in the game. The Royals extended their lead to 6-3 as David DeJesus smacked a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Alex Gordon, who had walked, stole second, and moved to third on Yuniesky Betancourt’s second single of the game.
Kansas City wasn’t done. Back to back to back 5th inning hits by Billy Butler, Mark Teahen, and Alberto Callaspo scored run number 7. Number 8 rung up on the board when Teahen scored from third on a wild pitch by Edgar Gonzalez, who had come in in relief of A’s starter and losing pitcher Clayton Mortensen (0-1).
In the 6th, the Royals scored their 9th run of the game as Billy Butler doubled to drive in Willie Bloomquist.
Still more hitting awaited KC fans in the 8th as the Royals had another big inning, putting 3 runs across the plate on 5 hits, including Billy butler’s third double of the game.
The A’s came up with a couple more runs in the 9th as Tommy Everidge and Mark Ellis connected for home runs off Joakim Soria. It was Everidge’s first career homer.
Greinke pitched 7 innings for the victory, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits while striking out 5 batters. His ERA is now an American League leading 2.43.
The Royals and A’s wrap up their weekend series Sunday afternoon at the K with Luke Hochevar (6-4) pitching for KC against Oakland’s Brett Anderson (6-8).
