In a series-opening 16-0 loss to the Athletics on Friday at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals never had a chance.
Starting pitcher Ian Kennedy only lasted three innings. He allowed seven hits, issued three walks and yielded eight runs. A’s first baseman Matt Olson barreled up a pair of high fastballs in consecutive innings to drive in four runs with two homers — the last of which scored three runs, landed in the right-center field fountains and traveled an estimated 456 feet. A’s rookie outfielder Dustin Fowler, who entered hitting .186 (8 for 43) against right-handed pitchers, tacked on a solo homer to cap a seven-run third inning for Oakland.