BOTTOM LINE: The Kansas City Royals play the Athletics looking to stop their five-game home slide. Kansas City has a 19-17 record at home and a 34-36 record overall. The Royals have gone 12-29 in games when they have allowed at least one home run.

The 34-35 Kansas City Royals are happy to see the Yankees leave town and welcome the 26-44 Athletics. At one point earlier this season, the Athletics were showing some scrappy, feisty play and were threatening the Mariners and Astros in the AL West. But they have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games, like the Royals, and have faltered.

Kansas City lost its fourth straight game — all at home — this time a 6-4 loss to the Athletics. The Royals, trailing by five runs (6-1) in the ninth, showed signs of life. Nick Loftin brought in two runs with a triple off pitcher Mason Miller. John Rave hit a sacrifice fly that cut the lead to just two.