Royals playoff hopes take a hit with second loss to Oakland

Cheslor Cuthbert drives in two with a 4th inning double in Tuesday's game with Oakland. (Courtesy Kansas City Royals / Jason Hanna ) — Cheslor Cuthbert doubles in the 4th inning in Tuesday’s game with Oakland. (Courtesy Kansas City Royals / Jason Hanna )

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Pinch hitter Yonder Alonso delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning and the Oakland Athletics rallied past Kansas City 5-4 Tuesday night, another key loss for the Royals.

The defending World Series champion Royals dropped five games out of the wild-card race with only 18 games left.

Joakim Soria blew his seventh save chance in eight opportunities. He was summoned with two outs in the eighth and the Royals clinging to a 3-2 lead lead.

On his second pitch, Soria gave up a double to Alonso over the head of center fielder Jarrod Dyson, scoring Brett Eibner and pinch runner Joey Wendle. Soria then yielded an RBI single to Marcus Semien.

Rookie Matthew Strahm (2-1), who gave up an infield single to Chad Pinder before Soria replaced him, took the loss.

John Axford (6-4) pitched one inning. Ryan Madson balked home Dyson with two outs in the ninth before closing for his 30th save in 36 tries.