KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 7 (UPI) -- A sacrifice fly from Mike Aviles brought home Billy Butler in the ninth inning Saturday, giving Kansas City a 4-3 victory over Oakland.
The Royals let a three-run lead get away in the eighth, but produced the game-winning run in the ninth against starter Brandon McCarthy (1-3).
With two relievers warming in the bullpen, McCarthy allowed a lead-off single to Butler in the ninth and then gave up a base hit to Jeff Francoeur that moved Butler to third.
Eric Hosmer was intentionally walked to load the bases, after which Aviles lofted a fly ball to left on a 1-0 pitch.
Kansas City scored its other three runs in the fifth, getting RBI singles from Melky Cabrera and Alex Gordon along with a sacrifice fly from Butler.
Cliff Pennington tied it in the Oakland eighth with a three-run homer off Aaron Crow, who worked one inning in relief of starter Luke Hochevar.
The win went to Joakim Soria (2-0), who gave up a hit and struck out two in the top of the ninth.
