OAKLAND,Calif. (AP) – Billy Butler homered twice and drove in three runs, Alex Gordon doubled home the go-ahead run and the Kansas City Royals scored five times in the ninth inning to beat the Oakland Athletics 11-6 Monday.

Jeff Francoeur, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas had two RBIs apiece and Melky Cabrera also drove in a run for the Royals, who avoided being mathematically eliminated for at least one more day. 

Butler hit a tying two-run shot off Craig Breslow in the seventh.

The Royals win despite striking out 14 times and issuing eight walks.

Game two of the three-game series is Tuesday night with Royals pre-game at 8:30pm on KAYS (1400-AM).