There is a lot of tension between the Royals and Athletics, who met in an epic Wild Card Game last year. In the concluding contest of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium, five members of the Royals are ejected but Kansas City still prevails, 4 – 2. It’s the third straight game that sees a bench-clearing incident, after Oakland 3B Brett Lawrie slid hard into second base in the opener, injuring SS Alcides Escobar and Royals P Yordano Ventura was tossed out the next day for throwing at Lawrie. Today, the fireworks start when K.C. OF Lorenzo Cain is hit by a pitch from Scott Kazmir in the 1st inning. His manager, Ned Yost, and pitching coach Dave Eiland both get the thumb as a result of the ensuing fracas, and umpire Greg Gibson issues a warning to both benches. In the 8th, P Kelvin Herrera is shown the door after throwing a 100-mph fastball behind Lawrie. In the argument that ensues, bench coach Don Wakamatsu and Escobar, who is not playing because of the injury, are also sent to the showers. Trailing 2 – 1, the Royals get their revenge in the bottom of the inning when rookie Paulo Orlando leads off with a walk and Cain follows with an RBI double before stealing third base. 1B Eric Hosmer draws a walk and DH Kendrys Morales drives them both in with another double. Before the game, the Royals place All-Star closer Greg Holland on the disabled list, and it’s his usual set-up man, Wade Davis, who gets the save, while Franklin Morales, who took over for Herrera, is gifted a win after making only two pitches.
