Royals Defeat A’s for 10th in a Row, Their Longest Winning Streak Since ’78

Mark Gubicza gave up three hits in eight shutout innings Monday night as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Oakland Athletics, 4-2, at Kansas City to extend their winning streak to 10 games, their longest in 16 years.

Gubicza (7-8) struck out three and walked one. Jeff Montgomery got his 24th save after making a two-run throwing error with the bases loaded in the ninth.

Ron Darling (10-10), who had won six consecutive decisions, gave up three runs and nine hits in seven innings.

“In most games, that’s a winning effort,” A’s Manager Tony La Russa said. “Gubicza left him no room for any mistakes.”

Jose Lind singled with one out in the third and Brian McRae hit his fourth homer. Lind doubled in the seventh and scored on McRae’s single, and a run-scoring double by Mike Macfarlane in the eighth gave the Royals a 4-0 lead.