Athletics at Kansas City Royals

KANSAS CITY – The Royals’ lineup for their series- and homestand-opening game on Monday night looked a lot like what they had been expecting the lineup to look like all season. They got the results they were looking for, too, in their 9-5 win over the A’s at Kauffman Stadium. Third baseman Maikel Garcia (left-hand muscle strain) and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (right wrist soreness) were reinstated from the injured list and in the lineup, hitting fourth and fifth, respectively. Both logged hits in their return, with Garcia lining an opposite-field RBI single during the Royals’ three-run first inning, and Pasquantino hitting a double to the left-center wall in the seventh inning. In corresponding moves, the Royals optioned infielder Josh Rojas to Triple-A Omaha and designated Starling Marte for assignment. Additionally, the Royals recalled lefty reliever Connor Thomas – whom they claimed off waivers from the A’s back on Aug. 4 – and optioned reliever Jose Cuas to Triple-A Omaha. It’s been over two months since the Royals had Garcia and Pasquantino in the lineup together with their other everyday contributors like Bobby Witt Jr., Jac Caglianone, Carter Jensen and Salvador Perez, all of whom contributed in Monday’s win. Witt went 3-for-4 with his second homer in as many games and scored four runs, Caglianone knocked three hits and two RBIs, Perez added two RBIs, and Jensen doubled off the left-center wall to start the homestand off strong after a 1-for-19 road trip last week. The Royals went 7-for-13 with runners in scoring position, and four of their nine runs came with two outs. “The guys who were here when Vinnie and Maikel got hurt were doing a pretty good job,” Perez said. “They prepare themselves every day to do their best for us. But yeah, Vinnie and Maikel are part of the team. Everyday players. It’s a little bit different. … I think we’re all happy to have Vinnie and Maikel back.” Pasquantino was the first to hit the IL after a right hamate fracture on June 14. He missed 23 games on that stint before the All-Star break, and during that time, Garcia was sidelined on June 23 with a left hand muscle strain that required extended rest. Pasquantino returned before the break but then went on the IL again on July 29 with soreness related to coming back from his original hand injury. He missed 17 games this time on the IL, while Garcia missed 46 games total during his IL stint.