BASEBALL: Bobby Witt Jr.'s bomb in extras gives Royals win over A's

Bobby Witt Jr. delivered a tiebreaking three-run home run in the 10th inning as the Kansas City Royals extended their winning streak to a season-best four games with a 4-1 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night in West Sacramento, California.

Salvador Perez also went deep for Kansas City, which has now won five of its last six games after an eight-game losing streak. Maikel Garcia and Perez each collected two hits in the opener of a three-game series.

The Royals broke the deadlock in extra innings after loading the bases in the 10th against Justin Sterner (1-3). With one out, Garcia popped up a bunt that was caught in foul territory by Shea Langeliers. Witt then stepped in and connected on the second pitch, sending a drive to right-center that just cleared the wall for his second home run in as many days. He had not homered through the team’s first 27 games.

Nick Mears (2-1) pitched a perfect ninth for Kansas City, while Lucas Erceg worked around late trouble in the 10th. After walking Carlos Cortes with two outs and allowing an infield single to Zack Gelof, Erceg induced a soft liner from Darell Hernaiz to second base to earn his seventh save.

The Athletics opened the scoring in the second inning when Gelof reached on an infield single and later scored on Jacob Wilson’s two-out RBI hit to center. Wilson and Langeliers each finished with three hits, but Oakland stranded 14 runners in the loss.

Salvador Perez tied the game in the sixth with a 425-foot solo home run to center off Hogan Harris, his second long ball in the last three games. He had nearly homered earlier in the fourth inning on a deep drive that struck the left-field wall.

Kansas City starter Kris Bubic allowed one run on four hits over five-plus innings, striking out six while walking four before exiting in the sixth after hitting a batter. Oakland’s Aaron Civale also worked five scoreless innings, giving up five hits and one walk while striking out three.

The Athletics suffered additional setbacks when Tyler Soderstrom exited with an apparent right shoulder injury in the fifth inning after a diving attempt in the outfield. The Royals also lost Vinnie Pasquantino, who left in the sixth with lower back tightness after being injured on a swing.

Despite the injuries and missed opportunities, Kansas City capitalized late to secure the win and continue its recent surge. -Field Level Media/Reuters