Kansas City Royals (2024 version) clobber Oakland A’s after club honors 2014 squad

On a night when the Kansas City Royals honored their 2014 American League championship team, members of the current iteration showed why they could be next in line.

The Royals defeated the Oakland Athletics 6-3 on Friday, and they did so in a fashion that was eerily reminiscent of the 2014 team.

Kansas City got another dominant start from ace pitcher Cole Ragans. The southpaw shut down the Athletics across seven innings en route to his third win.

The Athletics registered just four hits. Ragans struck out seven and walked two, using his fastball and changeup to keep the visitors off-balance. Those pitches combined for 42 swings and 15 whiffs, per Baseball Savant.

The Royals provided Ragans with ample offense. Michael Massey and Maikel Garcia hit pivotal home runs in the sixth, with Massey drilling a two-run shot over the right-field wall.

Moments later, Garcia set a career-high with his fifth regular-season home run. He hit a 92.9 mph sinker some 398 feet and gave the Royals a six-run lead.

Garcia finished 3-for-5 and is tied for second on the team in both homers and RBIs (he has 28) this season.

The Athletics scored three runs in the ninth inning. A’s catcher Shea Langeliers hit his 10th homer of the year.

The Royals improved to 27-19 and won their 16th game of the season at Kauffman Stadium. Meanwhile, the Athletics (19-28) dropped their sixth straight.

Missed previous Royals coverage?

2014 Celebration: KC Royals reflect on magical AL Championship run a decade ago

Special Ceremony: The Royals honored the 2014 squad prior to Friday’s game

Here are more notable aspects of Friday night’s game:

Salvador Perez adds 3 more hits

Royals captain Salvador Perez received a loud ovation during the 2014 Royals pre-game ceremony.

Perez, 34, is the lone active player left from that historic squad. On Friday, he showcased why he is still playing at a high level, spraying three hits.

In the first inning, Perez laced an RBI single off Oakland starter Mitch Spence. Athletics third baseman Brett Harris mishandled the hard liner and Perez, running hard, was able reach on the infield hit.

Perez doubled in the seventh inning and finished 3-for-3 with a walk. It was the 82nd three-hit game for the veteran, moving him into a tie for ninth on the Royals’ all-time list alongside Joe Randa.

What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?

The Royals continue their three-game series against the Athletics on Saturday night.

Right-hander Seth Lugo will make his 10th start of the season for KC. He leads the AL in wins (6) and ERA (1.66) and recorded a career-high 12 against the Angels in his most recent start.

The Athletics will counter with right-handed starting pitcher Ross Stripling. First pitch Saturday is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. Central Time at Kauffman Stadium.