A's can't catch Royals in 4-2 loss

OAKLAND - Kendrys Morales had three hits and got his 500th career RBI to help the Kansas City Royals win their fourth in a row, beating the Oakland Athletics 4-2 Friday night.

Edinson Volquez (2-0) pitched six innings, retiring seven of the last eight batters he faced. He gave up two runs on four hits, walking four and striking out two. Eric Hosmer homered and Lorenzo Cain also each drove in a run for the Royals.

Morales walked in his first at bat and then singled in his next three appearances. He entered the game with a .182 average and three hits in his previous 18 at bats.

Stephen Vogt homered, singled twice and scored both runs for the A's, who lost their fourth straight and fell to 1-7 at home.

Rich Hill (1-2) struggled through 4? innings, allowing three runs and nine hits. He needed 106 pitches to get through his outing. Hill walked three and struck out six.

Hill left the game with one out and two runners on in the fifth. Fernando Rodriguez took over and walked Salvador Perez to load the bases before getting Christian Colon to hit into a double play.

Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria and Wade Davis each pitched a scoreless inning, with Davis recording his fifth save in five chances.

Alcides Escobar reversed field, grabbed a ball barehanded that hit off Volquez and threw out Jed Lowrie in the fourth, potentially stopping an A's rally. Khris Davis singled home Vogt in the next at bat.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Athletics: INF Eric Sogard returned to Oakland from his rehab assignment in Stockton to get an MRI on his left knee, which has bothered him off and on since spring training.

“He felt some discomfort,” A's manager Bob Melvin said. “It's popped up enough that it's worrisome.” Sogard went on the DL with a cervical strain.

RHP Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder injury) completed a 30-pitch simulated game Friday.

“He's ramping it up,” Melvin said. “It looks like he could be in a game.”