OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Mark Canha knew it was just a matter of time before the right pitch would come. He waited, and his patience paid off.
Canha hit an RBI double with two outs in the 11th inning and the Oakland Athletics edged the Kansas City Royals 1-0 Wednesday to hold their lead atop the AL wild-card race.
The Athletics, who have won seven of eight, began the day two games ahead of Tampa Bay for the top wild-card spot. Cleveland was a half-game behind the Rays.
Canha was sitting on a hard sinker down and away that hed seen Royals reliever Jesse Hahn use effectively.
I was expecting it early, Canha said. He mixed in a couple of sliders and I finally got the pitch I was looking for.
Canha connected on the fifth pitch of the at-bat, driving a 1-2 sinker down the right field line.
The As gave away Mark Canha T-shirts that he saw fans waving in the outfield during the game.
It was a fun day, Canha said. I couldnt have written a better story myself.
Starters Homer Bailey of the As and Danny Duffy of the Royals each pitched seven sharp innings. Bailey, who was traded from Kansas City to Oakland in July, allowed three hits and struck out 11 while Duffy gave up two hits and fanned six.
Both starters were extremely good, Royals manager Ned Yost said. Homer was much more consistent with his split, now. He just doesnt miss against lefties. Just unbelievable. His curve was good, and he spotted his fastball extremely well. I didnt see him miss a location all day long and it was the same with Danny. I thought this was one of Dannys better games that hes pitched all year long.
Jurickson Profar drew a leadoff walk from Hahn (0-1) in the 11th and stole second. After striking out Marcus Semien and Matt Chapman, Hahn intentionally walked Matt Olson to face Canha.
J.B. Wendelken (3-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win. He struck out Jorge Soler with the bases loaded and two outs in the 11th.
Bailey is 4-0 with a 1.88 ERA over his last seven starts. The Royals struck out 19 times and are three defeats away from reaching the 100-loss plateau with nine games left.
The finish lines in site, As manager Bob Melvin said. You can talk about games leading up, you can talk about series earlier in the season, but teams play differently now and each games more important and guys step up. Its a different animal right now.
FANCY FIELDING
As left fielder Chad Pinder saved at least a run with a diving catch on a flare off Ryan OHearns bat with runners at first and second with two outs in the seventh to keep the game scoreless.
