Jason Vargas gets Bombed for Seven Runs in Loss

The Royals lost 8-3 in Oakland to snap  their 3-game winning streak as the A’s beat up returning starter Jason Vargas for 7 runs in 4.1 innings Saturday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum.

The A’s exploded for 8 runs in the 5th inning, putting the game out of reach. Meanwhile, Jon Lester comes home with a win in his first game for the A’s after Oakland acquired him at the trade deadline from Boston..

The loss drops Kansas City to 3 games over .500 at 56-53. The Royals fell to 5 games behind Detroit in the American League Central.

On the Mound

Jason Vargas held the A’s scoreless for 4 innings in his return from an appendectomy on July 1st, but then imploded in the 5th inning to allow 7 runs. Overall, Vargas allowed 7 hits, 0 walks, and 7 earned runs with 5 strikeouts. Vargas earned the loss to go 8-5.

The A’s outburst came on a barrage of 6 singles after a leadoff double by Derek Norris, wrapped around a botched sacrifice bunt attempt that allowed the Royals to nab the lead runner in what had been a tight 1-0 game. At the time, the play looked significant. Vargas left the game down 5-1.

Aaron Crow relieved Vargas and walked Josh Donaldson to load the bases. Crow then gave up a single to Jonny Gomes, which ended up clearing the bases after Alex Gordon bobbled the ball in left. Crow went .1 innings, allowing 1 walk, 1 single, and 1 run (0 earned).

Scott Downs pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief followed by 2.0 scoreless innings from Bruce Chen to finish the game.

At the Plate

The Royals piled up 10 hits and 2 walks with only 3 runs, which was not enough to counteract the A’s 8-run 5th, despite the having 2 more baserunners than Oakland in the game.

Lorenzo Cain stroked 2 singles and a double to go 3-4 with 1 run scored.

Nori Aoki went 2-3, with 2 singles, 2 walks, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI.

No other Royals had more than 1 hit.

This and That

Despite trading Yoenis Cespedes on Thursday’s non-waiver trade deadline, the A’s went ahead with a planned promotion where they gave away 10,000 T-shirts honoring Cespedes power that read “La Polencia”. The two-time home run derby champ moved to Boston in the Jon Lester deal.

Christian Colon went 1-2 after he subbed for Omar Infante in his first action since getting recalled from Omaha after Danny Valencia‘s trade.

Erik Kratz drew his first KC start since the Royals acquired him from Toronto, going 1-4. Salvador Perez remained in the lineup as the DH.

Sam Fuld pulled off a spectacular double play in the top of the 4th inning. With Alex Gordon at 3rd base, Fuld caught Mike Moutakas’ liner to center and then nailed Gordon with a strong throw to the plate to complete an inning-ending double play.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

I have to go with Nori Aoki, who did his job as a leadoff hitter by getting on base 4 times with 2 singles and 2 walks. 

More from Kansas City Royals

• This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
• The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
• DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
• 3 Royals Players Who Won’t Be on the Roster Next Year
• LAST CHANCE to Claim $250 GUARANTEED Bonus With FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!

• Butler – 5
• Jason Frasor
• Francisley Bueno
• Danny Valencia
• Christian ColFon
• Raul Ibanez
• Jarrod Dyson – 2
• Lorenzo Cain – 6
• Johnny Giavotella
• Wade Davis
• Norichika Aoki  – 3
• Salvador Perez – 6
• Jeremy Guthrie  – 2
• Jason Vargas – 6
• Alex Gordon – 10
• Bruce Chen   – 5
• James Shields – 9
• Yordano Ventura – 5
• Danny Duffy – 7
• Omar Infante – 4
• Mike Moustakas – 8 9-
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• Eric Hosmer – 12
• Michael Mariott

The A’s

The A’s acquisitions at the trading deadline came up big in this game. Jon Lester pitched into the 7th inning allowing 3 runs to get the win. Sam Fuld went 1-4 with 1 run scored in the A’s 8-run rally in the 5th and a spectacular catch and throw double play in the 4th. Jonny Gomes went 2-4 with 2 RBI’s and 1 run scored.

I guess there’s a reason the A’s have the best record in baseball—great player evaluation.

Up Next

The Royals will finish their 3 game series in Oakland Sunday afternoon. Kansas City will send James Shields (9-6, 3.50 ERA) to the mound against Scott Kazmir (12-3, 2.37 ERA). Game time is 3:05 PM CST at the Oakland Coliseum.

Box

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

2B: A Gordon (28, off J Lester); L Cain (20, off J Lester).
SF: S Perez (1, off J Lester).
SH: O Infante (4, off J Lester).
TB: L Cain 4; A Gordon 2; N Aoki 2; S Perez; E Kratz; C Colon; A Escobar.
RBI: S Perez (40); N Aoki (18); C Colon (2).
2-out RBI: C Colon; N Aoki.
Team LOB: 8.
With RISP: 3 for 10.
Fielding
E: A Gordon (2).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

2B: D Norris (14, off J Vargas).
TB: D Norris 3; J Gomes 2; J Reddick; A Callaspo; J Lowrie; S Fuld; N Punto.
RBI: J Gomes 2 (34); J Reddick (29); J Donaldson (77); J Lowrie (41); A Callaspo (34); N Punto (13).
2-out RBI: J Gomes 2.
Team LOB: 2.
With RISP: 7 for 10.
Fielding
DP: 1. S Fuld-D Norris.
Outfield Assists: S Fuld (A Gordon at home plate).

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.

Balks: None.
WP: None.
HBP: None.
IBB: None.
Pickoffs: None