A’s Shutout Royals 3-0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Oakland Athletics returned the favor on Thursday night, with a 3-0 shutout over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

It is the sixth shutout this season between the A’s and Royals.

Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar (7-11, 5.24 ERA) turned in one of his better starts, surrendering three runs on four hits in 7 innings, striking out five and walking three.

Hochevar made a couple of mistakes, and that was more than enough to bury the Royals. In the sixth, former Royal Coco Crisp hit a solo HR that barely cleared the wall in right field. Yoenis Cespedes gave the A’s a 2-0 lead in the seventh with a solo blast to left center.

A’s starter Dan Straily (1-0, 3.18 ERA) allowed no runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings.

Closer Grant Balfour (2.63 ERA) slammed the door shut with his 9th save of the season.

Luis Mendoza (6-8, 4.37 ERA) starts against Chicago White Sox All-Star lefty Chris Sale (14-3, 2.60 ERA) for game one of three on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium.