KANSAS CITY, Mo.— John Rave delivered a clutch, tiebreaking bases-clearing double to highlight a furious seven-run eighth inning, propelling the Kansas City Royals to a dramatic 9-7 comeback victory over the Athletics.
The wild comeback wiped away a 5-2 deficit heading into the late frames.Pinch-hitting in the fifth inning for Jac Caglianone—who departed early due to right ankle soreness—Rave found himself stepping up to the plate in the eighth with two outs and the bases loaded following an intentional walk to Bobby Witt Jr.. On a crucial pitch from relief pitcher Drew Rom (1-1), Rave pulled a sharp line drive deep into the right-field corner, driving in three runs to vault Kansas City ahead 8-5.
The Royals’ relentless eighth-inning rally started against Athletics reliever Hayden Juenger.Maikel Garcia sparked the surge with an opening triple, and Vinnie Pasquantino quickly brought him home with an RBI single.Kyle Isbel later brought Kansas City within one on a run-scoring single against Rom, before Isaac Collins knotted the game at 5-5 with a sacrifice fly.Following Rave’s go-ahead double, Garcia capped off the rally by collecting his second hit of the frame, extending the lead to 9-5.
Pasquantino provided earlier offense with a solo home run in the sixth inning. On the mound, starter Seth Lugo surrendered five runs on nine hits over six innings, while Craig Kimbrel (1-2) earned the victory with a scoreless eighth. Reliever Steven Cruz allowed a two-run homer to Max Muncy in the top of the ninth before shutting the door.
Jeff McNeil and Zack Gelof drove in two runs apiece for the struggling Athletics, who waste a strong start from Jeffrey Springs (5 2/3 innings, 5-2 lead upon exit). The loss marks Oakland’s third straight defeat in the four-game series and their 16th loss in their last 20 games.
Up Next
The Athletics hand the ball to left-hander Gage Jump (5-7, 4.50 ERA) on Thursday as they try to avoid a series sweep. Right-hander Randy Dobnak (2-1, 1.73 ERA) will take the mound for Kansas City.
