Jeff Francis was tagged for six runs on nine hits over 3 1/3 innings as the Oakland Athletics win back-to-back games for the first time since the end of May with an 8-4 win over the Royals yesterday in Oakland.

The A’s scored four in the second to take a 4-0 lead and were up 7-2 at one point. Down 5-0 the Royals scored two in the fifth and had two on with two out when Billy Butler struck out and never seriously threatened after that.

Melky Cabrera had two hits and drove in a run. Jeff Francoeur, Wilson Betemit and Bryan Pena each added an RBI. Alcides Escobar went 0-3 ending his eight game hit streak.

The Royals open a three-game interleague series in St. Louis tonight with Felipe Paulino facing Scott Carpenter. Royals pre-game at 6:40pm tonight on KAYS.