Back-to-back home runs to lead off the seventh inning sent the Kansas City Royals into the offseason on a positive note, as the Royals collected 15 hits in a 9-2 drubbing of the Athletics on Sunday, Sept. 28 in Sacramento.

The Royals led throughout the game, starting with a sacrifice fly in the second inning by Maikel Garcia to score Carter Jensen. A fielding error on a Michael Massey single in the fourth allowed Adam Frazier to score from first, while Massey advanced to third. Garcia brought Massey home with a single of his own. Massey singled Jensen home in the fifth, going four-for-five to lead the Royals offense as one of five Royals with multiple hits.

The Athletics threatened in the fifth inning after Steven Cruz came in to relieve starter Cole Ragans, getting back-to-back singles to load the bases. Cruz struck out Colby Thomas, then Daniel Lynch IV took the mound to strike out Nick Kurtz and end the Athletics threat. The Royals would lock up the game with solo home runs in the seventh by Mike Yastrzemski and Carter Jensen. After Massey reached on a fielding error, a Garcia walk set up Bobby Witt Jr’s two-out double to bring the two home. Yastrzemski added another solo home run in the eighth inning, while Nick Kurtz got the Athletics on the board with a two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning.

Lynch would get the win for the Royals, claiming three strikeouts in his spotless two-and-a-third innings. The win wraps up the Royals season at 82-80, their second straight winning season, albeit falling short on a return to the playoffs as they finish six games behind Cleveland for the AL Central title and five behind Detroit for the final wild card spot.

The Royals will begin the 2026 season in Atlanta against the Braves on Thursday, March 26, then have their home opener Monday, March 30 against the Twins.