Smith, Getz lead Royals past A's
KANSAS CITY (AP) - Will Smith pitched seven strong innings, Chris Getz doubled home the go-ahead run and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Wednesday night.
Smith (4-4), a 23-year-old rookie left-hander, limited the A's to two runs and five hits, while striking out five and walking one. In winning his past two starts, Smith has allowed four runs and 11 hits in 14 innings.
With two outs in the seventh, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Getz hit consecutive doubles, the first Kansas City extra-base hits of the game. Cain, who was in a 2-for-24 skid, doubled home Hosmer to tie the score.
Left-handed reliever Sean Doolittle was brought in to face Getz. After fouling off five pitches with two strikes, Getz stroked an opposite-field double on the 11th pitch to bring home Cain.
A's starter Brandon McCarthy (6-4) lost for the first time since April 21, snapping his career-best six-game winning streak. McCarthy, who is 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA in his past nine starts, gave up three runs, two earned, and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, while walking none and striking out four.
The Royals scored an unearned run in the first. Alcides Escobar, who reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and advanced to third on catcher Derek Norris' throwing error. Escobar scored on Billy Butler's grounder to Josh Donaldson, who threw home high and late.
The Athletics tied it in the second. Chris Carter led off with a double and he stopped at third on Donaldson's single and scored on Brandon Moss' single.
Donaldson, who was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Sacramento, homered in the fourth inning to give the A's a 2-1 lead.
Greg Holland worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to collect his fourth save in five opportunities.
Prior to the game, Royals manager Ned Yost said, "it was sad, sorry to hear it," upon learning Giants outfidler Melky Cabrera, who played last season for the Royals, had been suspended 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
Notes: A's RF Josh Reddick was scratched from the lineup after having complications from a tooth extraction. ... LHP John Lamb, who was the Royals' top pitching prospect, struck out two in a scoreless inning Tuesday for the Royals Arizona Rookie League club. It was Lamb's first appearance since May 19, 2011 for Double-A Northwest Arkansas aafter having Tommy John surgery. ... RHP Luke Hochevar is the Royals starter for the series finale. Hochevar is 0-7 with a 6.96 ERA in eight career starts against the A's. Oakland will counter with rookie RHP Dan Straily.
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