The Kansas City Royals lost to the Oakland Athletics 6-3 in the series finale, despite leading twice. Maikel Garcia had a strong performance with a home run and two doubles.
Key points
Royals lost 6-3 to Athletics
Maikel Garcia hit a home run and two doubles
Royals led twice but couldn't maintain the lead
Athletics scored four runs in the second inning
Royals next play the Mariners in Seattle
Mentioned in this story
Seattle
Kansas City RoyalsOakland AthleticsSeattle Mariners
Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) advances to third base during the fourth inning of the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) advances to third base during the fourth inning of the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Despite leading twice in this afternoon’s ballgame, the Royals fell behind in the bottom of the second and never again challenged the Athletics.
The Royals led off the scoring in the bottom of the first on a two-out RBI single by Starling Marte, the first of his three singles of the afternoon. Maikel Garcia, who doubled on the first pitch of the game, scored. Unfortunately, with the bases still loaded, Carter Jensen struck to end the frame. Jensen’s day at the plate would not improve.
In the bottom of the first, Garcia stayed in the spotlight, this time missing a grounder he normally snags, which turned into a double for A’s DH Shea Langeliers (Stephen King’s favorite Athletic) and men on second and third with none out. With one out, the A’s had the bases loaded, but Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron minimized the damage by giving up only one run.
Garcia homered in his second at-bat of the afternoon, this time in the top of the second, to put the Royals up 2-1. Garcia had an injury scare in the bottom of the first when the Athletics tied things, but he stayed in the game, later adding another double. He finished the day 3-for-5 with two doubles, a homer, two runs, a stolen base, and one RBI.
But the A’s took control in the bottom of the inning and never ceded it. Langeliers doubled in to tie the game before doubled in both Langeliers and . Kurtz would then score on a little dribbler hit to Loftin who made an off-line throw to , today’s first baseman, who failed to handle it.
5-2, .
The game settled down after that. The A’s starting pitcher, , threw a lot of pitches in a short period of time before leaving due to the injury. The A’s bullpen took over, tossing six innings of five-hit, two-run ball. In the bottom of the seventh, the A’s scored another run before homered in the top of the eighth to cut the lead to 6-3.
That was pretty much it. reached base in the top of the ninth, and with the Royals down to their last out, pinch-hit. Like a lot of Royals today, he hit the ball hard, but right at an Athletic.
Game, set, match. Oakland takes the day, 6-3, and the series, 2-1.
Now the Royals are off to to take on the in a weekend series.
Q&A
What was the final score of the Royals vs Athletics game on April 30, 2026?
The final score was 6-3 in favor of the Oakland Athletics.
Who were the standout players in the Royals vs Athletics game?
Maikel Garcia stood out for the Royals with a home run, two doubles, and two runs scored.
What is the next game for the Kansas City Royals after losing to the Athletics?
The Kansas City Royals will face the Seattle Mariners in a weekend series.
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