How Royals’ 4-game winning streak ended in Wednesday’s loss to the Athletics
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- Luis Severino beat the Royals, improving his record to 6-1 in eight career starts vs. KC.
- Michael Wacha allowed a three-run homer to Lawrence Butler and left after five innings.
- The Royals’ four-game winning streak ended in a 5-2 loss, dropping them to 12-18.
Athletics starter Luis Severino toed the mound against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park.
And he did so already having the Royals’ number.
In seven career starts vs. KC, Severino had posted a 5-1 record with a 3.67 ERA. Last season, Severino allowed just one run across 7 ⅔ innings — which resulted in an Athletics win at Kauffman Stadium.
Severino made a repeat performance Wednesday. The Royals lost 5-2 as their four-game winning streak ended in West Sacramento, California.
“He didn’t make many mistakes from what I could tell,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I mean, his stuff was good. We know that he’s got the big fastball, he’s got the sweeper, the slider. And he located tonight.”
The Royals logged six hits on the night. In the first inning, KC took an early lead as Bobby Witt Jr. and Carter Jensen combined for consecutive singles.
Witt scored from second after A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson dropped a soft liner off the bat of Royals star Salvador Perez. The baseball bounced out of Wilson’s glove, but he retrieved it quickly. Then, he tossed the ball to second baseman Jeff McNeil, who tried to throw out Witt at home plate.
However, Witt slid in ahead of the incoming tag. Perez was given an RBI and the Royals gave veteran starter Michael Wacha a 1-0 lead.
“I just saw it drop and had a nice faceplant at home,” Witt said.
The early advantage didn’t last long.
Michael Wacha’s uneven day
The Athletics (16-14) elevated Wacha’s pitch count throughout the game, and he departed after five innings.
In the second, Wacha allowed consecutive doubles to Wilson and McNeil, the second tying the score at 1-1. Two innings later, Wacha found himself in trouble again.
This time, A’s outfielder Lawrence Butler hit a three-run homer over the right-field wall. Wacha left an 85.9 mph slider on the inside part of the plate. Butler capitalized on the mistake pitch and gave the Athletics a 4-1 lead.
“Just looking at that big inning, you know, can’t give up those big innings and those crooked numbers,” Wacha said. “And you know, I wish I could have that pitch back. Just too many walks, a lot of action out there. You know, a lot of traffic out on the basepaths that I need to control a little bit better there.”
It was his third homer of 2026. Wacha has now allowed a homer in four of his last five starts.
Wacha surrendered eight hits, four runs, four walks and recorded five strikeouts.
“They made him work,” Quatraro said. “But overall, it was one pitch to Butler that kind of changed the game there. But, you know, he threw the ball fine. The stuff was good. The sinker was good and the changeup was good. But that one inning got away from him a little bit.”
Royals’ winning streak snapped
The Royals wouldn’t draw closer. Severino recorded a quality start before handing the game over to the A’s bullpen.
The Athletics recorded 10 hits. Royals reliever Luinder Avila, who was just recalled from Triple-A Omaha, allowed a run in the sixth inning.
In the ninth, the Royals added a second run via Michael Massey’s sacrifice fly. KC would bring the tying run to the plate — in the form of Jac Caglianone. However, A’s reliever Mark Leiter Jr. struck out Caglianone to end the game.
The Royals dropped to 12-18. KC will look to win the series in the rubber match Thursday afternoon.
“You’ve got to win,” Witt said. “That’s our goal. Win every game, but also win every series and just go from there.”
What’s next: Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (2-1, 5.13 ERA) will start opposite fellow lefty Jeffrey Springs (3-2, 3.79 ERA) in the series finale on Thursday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m. Central.
This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 11:31 PM.
