The game turned in a single inning. Oakland scored four times in the fourth, erasing a 1-1 tie and building the margin that would carry them to a 5-2 victory over Kansas City at Sutter Health Park.
Luis Severino controlled the game from the mound, allowing four hits and one earned run over seven innings while striking out eight. The right-hander walked two and threw 103 pitches to improve to 2-2 with a 4.46 ERA.
Lawrence Butler provided the decisive blow in the fourth inning, launching a three-run homer to right center that scored Wilson and McNeil. The 404-foot blast capped a four-run frame that also featured Carlos Cortes driving in Kurtz with a single to right. Butler finished 1-for-4 with three RBIs, raising his season totals to three homers and 12 RBIs despite a .187 average.
Michael Wacha struggled with his command for Kansas City, allowing eight hits and four walks over five innings. The right-hander surrendered four earned runs on 105 pitches, falling to 2-2 with a 3.13 ERA. Bobby Witt went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, but the Royals managed just six hits total.
Oakland snapped a one-game losing streak and improved to 15-14, maintaining first place in their division. Kansas City's four-game winning streak ended as they fell to 12-17.