Jared Koenig pitched into the sixth inning for his first career win and combined with three relievers on a three-hitter, helping the Oakland Athletics beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 on Sunday to end an eight-game home losing streak. Seth Brown had three hits, including his first home run at the Oakland Coliseum in nearly a year. Sean Murphy also connected to help the A’s avoid a three-game sweep. Oakland, which won for the third time in 18 games overall, still owns the worst record in baseball at 23-45. The Royals stranded six runners in scoring position and were shut out for the ninth time this season. Koenig (1-2) gave up two hits over 5 2/3 innings. The A’s left-hander walked four and had to pitched around traffic much of the afternoon to avoid becoming the fourth pitcher in Oakland history to lose his first three starts. Brown crushed a 1-2 slider from Brady Singer onto the steps beyond the left field fence. It was Brown’s team-leading ninth home run and first in Oakland since Aug. 8, 2021.
Murphy’s three-run drive off Jose Cuas in the sixth came after Brown singled and Ramon Laureano was hit by a pitch from Singer. Singer (3-2) allowed six hits and three runs with four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. The Royals have not swept a series since winning three consecutive games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field from Aug. 20-22, 2021. UP NEXT Royals: LHP Kris Bubic (0-4, 8.36 ERA) faces the Angels in the opener of a three-game series in Los Angeles. Pregame is at 8 p.m., with game time at 8:40. You can hear the broadcast from the Royals’ Radio Network on KDWD.