Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Wilson Betemit hit a two-run homer and drove in a total of four runs, as theKansas City Royals dominated the Oakland Athletics, 11-3, in the second test of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
Mike Aviles hit a three-run homer and scored three runs for the Royals, who had lost six of seven coming in. Kila Ka'aihue belted a two-run homer and knocked in a total of three runs.
Zack Greinke (9-12) was the beneficiary of the run support, giving up three runs on six hits over seven innings. The 2009 AL Cy Young Award recipient won for the first time since August 17.
Akinori Iwamura, Jack Cust, and Landon Powell each had an RBI for the Athletics, who had won four of five.Gio Gonzalez (14-9), riding a four-start win streak, allowed seven runs on seven hits over two-plus frames.
After Oakland stranded the bases loaded in the top of the first, the Royals scored three times in the home half. Aviles worked a one-out walk, stole second, and raced home on Betemit's single. Ka'aihue followed with a two-run homer.
Kansas City scored three more runs off Gonzalez in the second to make it a 6-0 game. With two outs, Gregor Blanco walked and Aviles singled. Billy Butler, Betemit, and Ka'aihue followed with three straight RBI singles.
The Royals turned the game into a rout with a five-run third. Alex Gordon walked, chasing Gonzalez from the game. Boof Bonser took over on the mound and retired the first two batters he faced. Blanco walked before Aviles hit a three-run homer. Butler then singled in front of Betemit's homer, which made it 11-0.
Oakland finally got to Greinke in the sixth. With men on first and second and no outs, Powell and Cust hit back-to-back RBI singles. With the bases loaded and one out, Iwamura's grounder plated a run.
The A's did not advance a runner past first base the rest of the way.
The A's were without third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff (back spasms)...Kansas City was without second baseman Chris Getz (mild concussion)...Oakland had beat the Royals five straight times in KC...Oakland recalled pitcher Vin Mazzaro, catcher Josh Donaldson and infielder Chris Carter from Triple-A Sacramento. The A's also selected the contract of infielder Eric Sogard from Sacramento and designated infielder Jeff Lyman for assignment...Oakland's Mark Ellis saw a 13-game hitting streak come to an end...Greinke improved to 5-1 lifetime against the Athletics.