Athletics at Royals
Marcus Semien became the second shortstop in franchise history to record seven RBIs in a game and Matt Chapman also reached a milestone in Oakland's explosive performance in the series opener. The Athletics look to build off a 19-4 rout when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday for the second contest of their four-game set.
Semien's career-high RBI output on Monday matched Miguel Tejada's mark for the position, while Chapman hit his 30th homer to join Sal Bando (1969) and Eric Chavez (2001-02) as the only Athletics third basemen to reach the plateau. Oakland posted season highs for runs and hits (22) while Semien, Khris Davis and Jurickson Profar joined Chapman in going deep as the club moved into a virtual tie with Tampa Bay for the American League's second wild-card spot. Kansas City fell three shy of the most runs it has allowed (22 against Boston in 1994) as it suffered its eighth loss in 11 games and 21st in its last 28. Bubba Starling went 3-for-4 and scored twice in the series opener after going hitless in 16 at-bats over his previous five games and 2-for-34 over his last 10 contests.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Mike Fiers (12-3, 3.46 ERA) vs. Royals LH Mike Montgomery (3-6, 4.99)
Fiers has recorded 10 wins during his 19-start unbeaten streak, a stretch that began with a no-hitter against Cincinnati on May 7. The 34-year-old defeated the New York Yankees in his last outing as he gave up two runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings. Fiers is 2-3 with a 5.30 ERA in seven career starts versus the Royals and has held Jorge Soler to 1-for-11, with the hit being a home run.
Montgomery is 2-4 with a 4.46 ERA in seven starts since being acquired from the Chicago Cubs last month. The 30-year-old won back-to-back decisions before losing to Baltimore in his last turn as he gave up five runs and eight hits - three homers - over five innings. Montgomery is 3-0 with a 4.05 ERA in five career games (two starts) against the Athletics.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals LHP Danny Duffy (hamstring) is expected to be activated and start later this week after experiencing no issues during a 72-pitch rehab start on Sunday.
2. Oakland placed OF Stephen Piscotty (ankle) on the 10-day injured list, purchased the contract of OF-1B Seth Brown, who went 2-for-6 in his major-league debut on Monday, from Triple-A Las Vegas and designated OF Nick Martini for assignment.
3. Kansas City SS Adalberto Mondesi (shoulder) will be activated when rosters expand on Sunday but has been ordered not to make any dives the rest of the season - either on defense or on the bases.