KANSAS CITY — The mood in the A’s dugout took a swift 180 within the first 10 pitches of the game.
Royals starter Jakob Junis’ second pitch Marcus Semien blasted for a solo home run, his 24th of the year. Junis’ 10th pitch clunked Matt Chapman somewhere on the back of his head, sending his helmet flying and his teammates into a panic. Manager Bob Melvin and the trainers rushed to Chapman’s aid, help he tried to flick away initially.
He’d finish that inning, one at third, and another six-pitch at bat before deciding to play it safe.