OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Matt Chapman homered leading off the eighth, moments after shortstop Marcus Semiens defensive gem, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Sunday.
Stephen Piscotty and Jonathan Lucroy both drove in runs for the As, who squandered numerous scoring chances before Chapman came through with a solo home run off Royals reliever Jason Adam (0-1).
Blake Treinen (3-1) retired five batters to win following a strong start by left-hander Sean Manaea. Winless since May 14, Manaea allowed six hits and two runs over 7 1/3 innings and had six strikeouts with no walks.
Manaeas outing would have been worse had it not been for Semien.
Whit Merrifield doubled off Manaea in the eighth and advanced to third on Mike Moustakas groundout. Treinen replaced Manaea and got Salvador Perez to hit a grounder to shortstop. Semien made a diving stop then threw to home while still on his knees to nail a siding Merrifield at the plate.
Perez hit his 11th home run for the Royals, who have lost seven of eight.
Kansas Citys offensive funk continued, although Moustakas gave his ballclub a jolt in the first inning when he laid down a bunt to beat Oaklands defensive shift. But Moustakas was stranded at second, one of four runners the Royals left in scoring position.
Alex Gordon doubled off Treinen with one out in the ninth and moved to third on a ground-out before Drew Butera fouled out to Lucroy to end the game.
The As also squandered multiple scoring chances. They left the bases loaded twice then stranded a runner at third in the seventh after Dustin Fowler reached on a leadoff single and advanced on Kansas City pitcher Scott Barlows two-base throwing error on a pickoff attempt.
Kansas City starter Brad Keller gave up two runs in five innings in his first start against the As. Keller had four strikeouts but also walked four.
TRAINERS ROOM
Royals Right fielder Jorge Soler was held out of the starting lineup for a second straight day after fouling a pitch off his foot Friday, although manager Ned Yost noted Soler is feeling better.
Following a day off today, Kansas City returns home to host the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. RHP Ian Kennedy (1-6, 5.76 ERA) takes the hill for the Royals seeking to end an 11-start winless stretch.
