Royals Roll Past A’s: Witt, Royals Too Much

The A’s jumped on the board first behind Jeff McNeil’s 375-foot homer, but Kansas City answered immediately and never really gave them control of this one. Bobby Witt Jr. was the difference-maker, going 3-for-4 with a homer, double, stolen base, and three runs scored as the Royals turned a 1-0 deficit into a 6-1 lead. The A’s did fight back, with Tommy White and Brian Serven contributing to a three-run fifth inning that pulled them within two. But every time the A’s got close, Kansas City had another answer. Witt’s sixth-inning single helped set up another Royals run, and his eighth-inning double sparked a two-run rally that extended the lead to 9-4. The A’s managed one final run in the ninth, but it was far too little, far too late. Tonight, Where Stats Meet Instincts, hosted by Sam, takes over the postgame and breaks down Bobby Witt Jr.’s domination, the A’s pitching problems, the offensive bright spots and another frustrating loss that never quite felt out of reach until it was.