The Kansas City Royals were unable to complete a three-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics, losing the final game of the series, 3-0 on Thursday night.
Starter Luke Hochevar (7-11) threw well for the Royals but fell victim to the long ball by giving up solo home runs to Coco Crisp in the sixth inning and Yoenis Cespedes in the seventh. Hochevar gave up three runs in seven innings but only allowed four hits.
Kansas City just couldn't break through offensively against Oakland right-hander Dan Straily (1-0) who earned his first career win, allowing three hits in six and a third innings. The Royals loaded the bases in the second and seventh innings but were unable to get the timely hit needed to push any runs across the plate. Reliever Grant Balfour sat down the Royals in order in the bottom of the ninth to earn his ninth save of the season.
The Royals continue play at Kaufman Stadium on Friday night when they host the Chicago White Sox to begin a three-game weekend series.
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