In a thrilling display of patience at the plate, Nick Kurtz extended his remarkable walk streak to 19 consecutive games, and the Athletics rode that momentum to a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night in West Sacramento.
Kurtz, who also smashed a two-run double, is now in elite company. His 19-game walk streak ties baseball legend Ted Williams for the third-longest in MLB history, trailing only Detroit's Roy Cullenbine (1947) and San Francisco's Barry Bonds (2002-03). Records date back to 1910 in the National League and 1913 in the American League.
The A's offense was firing on all cylinders. Shea Langeliers ripped three doubles, Darell Hernaiz contributed three hits and two RBIs, and Jacob Wilson added two hits and scored twice. The team has now won six of its last nine games, building serious momentum early in the season.
The game turned in the second inning when the Athletics exploded for four runs. After Langeliers drove in a run with a double, Kurtz lined a 1-0 slider from Royals starter Noah Cameron into right-center field, extending the lead to 5-2. Kurtz later scored on a throwing error by shortstop Nick Loftin, capping the inning's damage.
On the mound, Luis Medina earned the win (1-1) with 2⅔ scoreless innings of relief after starter Jeffrey Springs exited early with right hip soreness. Springs had allowed two runs and five hits over three innings and 67 pitches before leaving the game.
The Royals showed fight, with Elias Diaz hitting his first home run of the season. Maikel Garcia and Starling Marte each collected three hits, but Kansas City couldn't overcome the early deficit. Vinnie Pasquantino missed his second straight start due to lower back tightness but pinch-hit in the ninth, flying out with a runner on base against Jack Perkins, who earned his third save.
Cameron (2-2) took the loss, surrendering five runs—four earned—and nine hits over 5⅓ innings.
Looking ahead, the Royals head to Seattle on Friday, sending left-hander Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.00 ERA) against the Mariners' Bryan Wood (1-2, 3.86). Meanwhile, the Athletics host Cleveland, with right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) squaring off against lefty Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97).