Athletics at Kansas City Royals

The 108.9 mph laser of a single that Vinnie Pasquantino hit off the top of the right-field fence was hit so hard that it literally made a dent in the padding, his impact on Wednesday night showing up in more ways than one. Though inches shy of what would have been Pasquantino’s second homer of the night, that single still got the Royals’ eighth-inning rally started, driving in the first run of what would end up being a seven-run frame and a 9-7 win over the A’s at Kauffman Stadium. Late-game mayhem has been the Royals’ recipe for success these past two nights following Tuesday’s walk-off win and Wednesday’s comeback victory, with Kansas City making quick work of a struggling A’s bullpen. The Royals have now won four consecutive games, including three against the A’s this week to set up a potential four-game sweep on Thursday. “We’re going to try to get it done earlier from now on, but it’s always nice when you get a couple late wins like that,” said outfielder John Rave, whose bases-clearing double in the eighth was the biggest hit of that frame. “Energy’s high after the game.”