Royals fall to Athletics 6-4 as team enshrines 'Gordo' into Royals Hall of Fame

1749875516464261638
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr talks with former Royals utility player Whit Merrifield following the Royals Hall of Fame ceremony for Alex Gordon.  Royals players wore jerseys with a pine tar streak across the name to honor Gordon, an idea that came from Witt Jr, during Friday’s game against the Athletics/ Photo courtesy of Matt Foster of KSHB 41 News on X

By MATT PIKE

The Kansas City Royals started to rally back, but fell short in the final inning against the Athletics, losing 6-4 on Friday evening at Kauffman Stadium on the day the Royals enshrined left fielder Alex Gordon into the Royals Hall of Fame. 

With a pine tar stripe across their names, like the pine tar that adorned the back of Gordon most games, the Royals took the field following a ceremony for the eight time gold glover who spent his entire career in Kansas City.  And the Royals opened the game with the lead, scoring in the bottom of the first inning as Salvador Perez doubled to drive in Maikel Garcia. 

Austin Wynns though hit a solo home run in the second inning, tying up the game, and the Athletics went on to take the lead in the third inning on a single by rookie Nick Kurtz, scoring Jacob Wilson for the go ahead run.  A third straight run scored in the fourth inning to extend the lead on another solo home run, this time by Luis Urías. 

Holding the 3-1 lead, the Athletics pushed ahead even more in the sixth inning scoring their final three runs of the game.  With the bases loaded, reliever Steven Cruz walked Tyler Soderstrom to score Denzel Clarke and in the next at bat surrendered a two run single to Max Muncy, bringing home Lawrence Butler and Wilson. 

The Royals did start to rally back in the final inning.  Back to back walks to Perez and Jac Caglianone opened the inning and Nick Loftin drove both in with his second triple of the season.  Loftin scored on a sacrifice fly by John Rave for the final run, before Kyle Isbel struck out and Drew Waters popped out to end the game. 

Michael Wacha took the loss, falling to 3-6 on the season, pitching 5 1/3 innings and giving up five runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out five.  At the plate, Garcia led the way going 3-for-4 with a run scored.  Loftin was 1-for-4 with an RBI while Perez was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. 

Kansas City and the Athletics continue their series tomorrow.  Michael Lorenzen (4-6, 4.94 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Jacob Lopez (0-4, 6.00 ERA) for the Athletics.  First pitch is at 3:10pm, pregame coverage beginning at 2:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.