Butler's Blast, Kurtz's Record and Severino's Gem Power A's Past Royals

Coming into Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals, Lawrence Butler needed a big hit. He entered the contest on a 3-for-19 skid, despite his advanced data actually outperforming the numbers he'd produced on the season.

With one swing of the bat in the bottom of the fourth, Butler brought his numbers a little closer to the expected stats with a three-run homer that put the A's up 4-1, and they never looked back. The blast was his third of the season, and his first since April 13 against the Texas Rangers.

Luis Severino joked after the game, "We were looking for a sacrifice [hit], but that was way better."

Mark Kotsay talked about Butler's struggles before the game, saying, "All of his hard-hit contact is not resulting in hits early in the season. I do feel like his at-bats overall, if you look at the collection of at-bats, they're still good. They're solid."

Not long after those comments, Butler proved his manager correct.

Nick Kurtz ties Barry Bonds, chasing Ted Williams

Just days ago he set the A's franchise mark with his 16th straight game with a free pass, surpassing franchise legend Rickey Henderson in the process. Now he has some other legends in front of him.

Only two batters after Butler hit the go-ahead home run, first baseman Nick Kurtz collected a walk in his 18th straight game, becoming just the fourth player to reach that total since 1900.

The other names on the list are Barry Bonds (18 walks) in 2002, Ted Williams (19 walks) in 1941 and Roy Cullenbine (22 walks) in 1947. Kurtz will have an chance to surpass Bonds and tie Williams on Thursday afternoon.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kurtz set out to make sure people don't forget he can also mash, and clubbed an RBI double to the wall in right, scoring Darell Hernaiz from first and giving the A's a 5-1 lead. The Royals would add one in the top of the ninth for a final of 5-2.

Luis Severino shines in Sacramento

Not to be outdone, Luis Severino had a huge start himself on Wednesday, going seven innings, giving up four hits, one earned run, walking two and striking out eight. This is his best start at Sutter Health Park since signing with the A's, and combined both length and effectiveness — two traits the A's need out of him to have success as a club this year.

Kotsay said after the game, "For him to go out tonight and give us seven innings is what we needed."

The only other start he's had at home the past two years that would come close would be the final start he made in 2025 against the Houston Astros. He went into that one fired up, and completely dominated the Houston lineup across 6 1/3 scoreless innings of work. He gave up three hits, walked one and struck out five in that one.

When asked what his favorite part of his stat line from Wednesday night was, Severino said, "For me, it's the win. I'm here for the team. I'm here to win every time I get an opportunity to have a 'W' for the team, that's the more important thing for me."

The A's are one of just three teams in the American League with a winning record, and Severino's two wins on the season are what's keeping the 16-14 A's from being just another .500 club.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow