KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bobby Crosby homered twice and Ryan Sweeney hit a three-run shot, lifting the Oakland Athletics to a 6-3 win over the Kansas City Royals today.

Sweeney and Crosby hit consecutive homers in the second inning off Luke Hochevar (6-5) to stake Brett Anderson to an early 4-0 lead. The Royals scored three runs in the seventh to get within one, but Kurt Suzuki hit a solo homer in the eighth and Crosby had one in the ninth to put the A's up 6-3.

Defense kept it close early.

Royals shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt made three superb plays, including a back-to-the-infield grab of Tommy Everidge's blooper in short left in the fourth inning.