Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer swung at a two-strike curve during Friday night's first inning at Oakland.
He hit into a double play, but a run scored.
Two innings later, Hosmer swung at another two-strike curve; he grounded out to the pitcher, but a runner advanced into scoring position and later scored on a single.
The Royals won the game by two runs.
Five and half months ago — after the Royals won the World Series — a champagne-soaked Rusty Kuntz addressed reporters and said the Royals had shown the value of getting the ball in play.