A pair of home runs and outstanding starting pitching were all the Royals needed for a 3-0 win over the A’s on Friday night at Oakland Coliseum.

Royals starter Dennis Leonard limited Oakland to three hits, although he did walk five. But Leonard also struck out 11 as he improved to 5-8 on the year.

There was no no-hit drama, as Marty Perez singled with one out in the first. Jerry Tabb followed with a walk, but a popup and a strikeout later and the Royals were out of trouble. Oakland had two runners on in the third but Tabb grounded into a double play to end the inning. And the A’s got three runners on in the fourth, but Manny Sanguillen was caught stealing for the second out, ahead of a walk and a hit batter. Leonard struck out Willie Crawford to end that threat. Oakland would only have two more baserunners in the game.

Oakland starter Doc Medich held the Royals without a hit until Darrell Porter doubled with one out in the fifth. But he was stranded at second. It took until the sixth for Kansas City to break through.

Hal McRae singled with two outs, then stole second. George Brett belted his fourth home run of the year, and John Mayberry followed with his 11th. That 3-0 lead was more than enough for Leonard.

With the win, the Royals moved to 34-33. They remained in third place in the AL West, tied with Texas. Both teams were four games behind Minnesota.

Box score and play-by-play:
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197706240.shtml

Today’s birthdays: None