KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — After a spotless stretch for 18 days earlier this month, the Oakland Athletics bullpen is struggling a bit.
Starter Jeff Samardzija left with a one-run lead in the seventh inning, but Ryan Cook failed to hold it in a 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
Cook allowed two inherited runners to score and three of his own without retiring a batter. Cook’s streak of 21 consecutive scoreless innings came to an abrupt halt.
“I have all the faith in the world in those guys,” Samardzija said. “The best thing is to stay out of these situations altogether and go out and get them 1-2-3.”
The A’s relievers set a club record with a 29 2-3 scoreless innings streak from July 23-Aug. 9. But in the past six games, the bullpen has allowed 10 runs in 12 1-3 innings.
“Our bullpen is the best in baseball I really believe that,” said Stephen Vogt, who had three hits and scored a run.
“They have given us so many great innings. To have one hiccup, I’m not worrying about it. We have all the confidence in our bullpen.”
Nori Aoki and Billy Butler each drove in two runs in a five-run seventh as the Royals have won 18 of 22 to move 12 games above .500 for the first time since July 20, 2003.
The Royals took the season series, winning five of seven against the Athletics, who have the best record in the majors.
The A’s could face the Royals, who lead the AL Central, in the playoffs.
“I don’t think there is a playoff team that anybody wants to face,” Vogt said. “There are about eight teams that nobody wants to face in October and some of them are new teams. These guys (Royals) are one of them.”
Aoki’s two-run triple put the Royals ahead 5-3. Butler’s single scored Aoki and Alcides Escobar. Jarrod Dyson fouled off four consecutive pitches before hitting an RBI single to right for the first run of the inning.
Samardzija (3-2) took the loss, giving up four runs, three earned, and eight hits in 6 2-3 innings.
Aaron Crow (6-1), the third of six Kansas City pitchers, picked up the victory, retiring the only batter he faced.
Starter James Shields gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings and has a 1.94 ERA in his past eight starts. Greg Holland earned the final two outs for his 36th save in 38 opportunities.
The A’s scored two runs in the sixth when Dyson lost Josh Reddick’s high fly in the sun for a triple, which scored Vogt.
Alberto Callaspo drove in two Oakland runs with a single and a sacrifice fly.
ON DECK
Athletics: RHP Jason Hammel will start the opener of a weekend series at Atlanta. The A’s last played at Atlanta in 2008, losing two of three.
Royals: LHP Danny Duffy will start Friday at Minnesota, where the Royals have lost four of six this season. The Royals play their next nine on the road, all against clubs in last place in their division — Minnesota, Colorado and Texas.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: SS Jed Lowrie was placed on the disabled list after the game with a broken right index finger. Lowrie, who injured it Aug. 4, returned to San Francisco to have his finger checked.
Royals: 1B Eric Hosmer’s MRI of his broken finger showed progress, but he will not be allowed to swing a bat for at least another week.
ROOKIE SENSATION
Royals IF Christian Colon had his second three-hit game, including a double, stole his first base in the majors and scored a run. He is hitting .444 in five career starts.
PARRINO RECALLED
The A’s recalled IF Andy Parrino from Triple-A Sacramento, where he was hitting .286 with 28 extra-base hits and 52 RBIs in 90 games. He will take Lowrie’s roster spot.
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