The Kansas City Royals are showing signs that they have overcome their early-season struggles as they begin a three-game series against the Athletics on Tuesday night in West Sacramento, California.
Kansas City scored 29 runs during a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels and won four of its last five games.
The Royals still have six games below .500 as they enter a six-game road streak against the A’s and Seattle Mariners, but spirits are rising after Sunday’s 11-9, 10-inning win over the Angels.
The start of the game was moved up three hours, there was an 89-minute rain delay during the seventh inning and Kansas City was left with its final out in both the ninth and 10th innings.
Jac Caglianone hit a two-run homer to tie the score in a three-run ninth inning, and the Royals prevailed on Lane Thomas’ three-run homer in the 10th.
Relive Major League Baseball’s biggest comeback this season, told through the voices of the Royals Radio Network! pic.twitter.com/dv2PqRvVa1
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 27, 2026
Preview: A’s vs. Royals
“That’s why nobody should give up on us,” said Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who also hit his first home run of the season. “The guys we have here. Because of how relentless we are and how we know who we are, we know what kind of team we are and we’re going to continue to prove it.”
Kansas City hopes Salvador Perez is about to have a sustained hot streak. The nine-time All-Star has two three-hit outings in his last six appearances to raise his average to .187, and he hit his fourth home run of the season in a 12-1 rout of the Angels on Saturday.
While he was pleased with Sunday’s comeback, veteran right-hander Seth Lugo said more improvements are needed.
“We have a long way to go,” Lugo said. “We’re not exactly where we want to be this year. But (Sunday) we showed the resilience that we’ve shown over the last few years… We’re never done until the last out is made.”
The A’s are in first place in the American League West after winning two of three against the host Texas Rangers. The A’s also won two of three on the road against the Mariners during the trip.
The A’s needed 5 2/3 scoreless innings from the bullpen in Sunday’s 2-1 victory when starter JT Ginn left with shoulder problems after 3 1/3 innings.
The bullpen allowed just three hits and struck out eight. Justin Sterner entered with the bases loaded and none out in the sixth inning and protected the one-run lead, while Jack Perkins worked two innings to record the save.
“Our bullpen has been doing a good job,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “There’s a real confidence down there, when the phone rings, that any of them can come in and pitch.”
Carlos Cortés puts the A’s on top early 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CDrVkYnJ7S
– NBCS Athletics (@NBCSAthletics) April 26, 2026
The A’s will start right-hander Aaron Civale (2-1, 3.86 ERA) in the series opener.
Left-hander Jacob López threw 25 pitches in relief on Sunday and will not start during the Kansas City series. Monday’s off day allowed the A’s to promote Civale.
Civale, 30, received a no-decision against the Mariners last Wednesday when he allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
He is 4-3 with a 3.73 ERA in 12 career starts against the Royals. Pérez is 7 for 21 with three home runs against Civale.
The Royals counterattack with left-hander Kris Bubic (2-1, 4.08).
Bubic, 28, took a no-decision against the Baltimore Orioles on April 21. He allowed three runs and five hits in six innings.
In his only career start against the A’s in 2021, Bubic allowed five earned runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings while taking the loss. He served three home runs in the game played in Oakland.
Austin Wynns (1 for 6) and Brent Rooker (0 for 5) are the only A’s to have faced Bubic.
–Media at field level
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Next Athletics calendar 2026
- Tuesday, April 28 – Thursday, April 30 against the Kansas City Royals
- Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 3 vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Tuesday, May 5 – Thursday, May 7 @Philadelphia Phillies
- Friday, May 8 – Sunday, May 10 – @ Baltimore Orioles
- Tuesday, May 12 – Thursday, May 14 – against the St. Louis Cardinals
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