Eight Run Fifth Leads A’s to 8-3 Victory over Royals

In his first start since having his appendix removed, Jason Vargas was perfect through the first four innings. Then, everything fell apart in spectacular fashion in a disastrous fifth inning, allowing the A’s to coast to an 8-3 victory over the Royals.

Everything started out well for Kansas City. Vargas looked as though he never missed a start, throwing strikes and inducing weak contact as he set down the first twelve batters he faced in a row. A sacrifice fly from Salvador Perez in the third provided the Royals a 1-0 lead, and for a time, it appeared as though today would be a repeat of last night’s outcome.

Instead, everything came crashing down around Jason Vargas. Derek Norris led off the inning with a double and an infield single put the first two runners on. After Vargas got the force at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt, the A’s had three consecutive RBI singles to take a 3-1 lead. a bunt single loaded the bases, and another single gave the A’s a 4-1 lead.

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Vargas was taken out at that point in favor of Aaron Crow, but Crow was unable to stem the tide. A walk force in a run, and after a strikeout, Jonny Gomes hit a two run single. Alex Gordon‘s error allowed the eighth and final run to come around to score. Scott Downs came in and got the final out of the inning, but the damage was already done.

Kansas City came back with two runs in the top of the seventh on base hits from Nori Aoki and Christian Colon, but it was not enough as Oakland held on for the 8-3 victory. Jason Vargas took the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings, striking out five.

Lorenzo Cain was 3-4 with a double and a run scored in the loss.