OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Matt Olson had never hit a ball to the second level of elevated bleachers, even in batting practice.
He sure found a timely moment to accomplish the feat, hitting a tying homer leading off the seventh before Seth Brown hit a go-ahead double two batters later, leading the Oakland Athletics past the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Tuesday night.
That was one of my better swings, Olson said with a smile, offering little more explanation except that the ball doesnt usually carry like that at night.
Olsons drive to center reached the Coliseum seats above the luxury suites a spot only a handful of sluggers have visited. Jorge Lopez (4-8) then hit Mark Canha with a pitch before Brown doubled.
The home run that Oley hit inspired everybody, manager Bob Melvin said.
A.J. Puk (2-0) followed Brett Anderson and struck out two over two shutout innings for his second major league win. Liam Hendriks struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 23rd save in 29 opportunities.
Hendriks 116 strikeouts as a reliever this season passed Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers 115 in 1975 for most in franchise history.
The As, who hold the top AL wild-card spot, bounced back after their six-game winning streak was snapped by Mondays 6-5 loss to the Royals in the series opener.
Kansas Citys Nick Dini hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth for the games first run.
Anderson allowed five hits over five innings and would have liked to go longer, but Melvin is trying to get some younger pitchers like Puk and Jesus Luzardo key experience down the stretch. The left-hander has received three or fewer runs of support in 16 of his last 22 starts.
Id be lying if I said I didnt want to go longer but having a couple lefties throwing upper-90s after you is never a bad option, Anderson said.
Lopez who has only won on the road this season missed a chance at winning three straight starts for the first time in his career. Demoted to the bullpen for an extensive stretch midseason, he has been steady of late.
The right-hander allowed two runs and four hits in six innings in his first career start against the As and second appearance.
The last three, four starts Ive been doing the same, trusting my sinker and have that power curveball after those sinkers, Lopez said. Thats a team that will challenge you. You just have to stay down in the zone and try to make them uncomfortable.
Ryan McBroom doubled leading off the fifth and advanced on a single by Cheslor Cuthbert before Dinis sac fly for Kansas City, which took pregame infield practice a rare sight for September.
Majors hits leader Whit Merrifield, coming off three consecutive two-hit games for the Royals, went 0 for 4.
