Bobby Witt Jr. homers in Royals’ 9-5 win over Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — August 17, 2026 — 8:35 p.m. Bobby Witt Jr. delivered a two‑run home run, an RBI triple and scored four times as the Kansas City Royals topped the Oakland Athletics 9‑5 on Monday night. Witt’s 15th homer of the season traveled an estimated 390 feet to left‑center, putting Kansas City ahead 5‑1. He added an RBI triple in the eighth inning. The Athletics struck first when Jeff McNeil homered on the game’s opening pitch. The Royals answered immediately: Maikel Garcia drove in a run with a single and Salvador Perez followed with a two‑run single to make it 3‑1. Jac Caglinone contributed two RBI singles, one in the sixth and another in the eighth, extending the Royals’ lead to 9‑4. Kyle Isbel added a run‑scoring hit in the third inning. Starting pitcher Michael Wacha (6‑8) worked five innings, allowing six hits, four earned runs and striking out three. Steven Cruz recorded his fourth save of the season, retiring the side after Lucas Erceg failed to record an out and left the bases loaded. For Oakland, Tommy White and Brian Serven each homered in the fifth inning. White’s solo shot traveled 401 feet to left‑center, while Serven’s two‑run blast cut the deficit to 6‑4. Mason Barnett (1‑3) logged 2⅓ innings for the Athletics, surrendering seven hits, six earned runs, four walks and two strikeouts. Looking ahead, right‑hander Jack Perkins (2‑9, 7.27 ERA) is slated to start Tuesday for Oakland against Royals left‑hander Daniel Lynch IV (4‑4, 2.88 ERA).