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OAKLAND — Mark Canha’s walk-off hit in the 11th inning to give the A’s a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday afternoon. The A’s now hold a temporary 2.5 game lead for the first wild card spot over Tampa Bay.
Homer Bailey bailed out a clearly fatigued offense with one of his best performances of the season. HIs splitter has been consistent, and was lethal on Wednesday. He struck out a season-high 11 Royals, seven off his splitter, in seven shutout innings.
Alex Gordon recorded two of the three hits Bailey allowed. The third a double off the bat of Jorge Soler in the seventh. Gordon was intentionally walked and Hunter Dozier struck out swinging at a slider. Chad Pinder made a leaping catch of Ryan O’Hearn’s line drive that was a half-inch from the grass and scoring Soler for what would have been the game’s first run.
The A’s had a chance to walk off in the 10th when Mark Canha and Ramon Laureano bounced back-to-back singles. But Khris Davis struck out and Sean Murphy and Robbie Grossman grounded out to end the threat.
The A’s move to 92-61 and are temporarily 2.5 games ahead of Tampa Bay for the first wild card spot.
