Phoenix ? Chris Clapinski hit a three-run homer, and Paul Bako added a bases-loaded triple to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 17-7 victory Saturday over the Oakland Athletics.

Reggie Sanders and Esteban German also had two RBIs for Kansas City, which finished with 20 hits in its fourth straight victory. Oakland starter Joe Blanton surrendered eight runs – four earned – on five hits in 22â3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.

“I just gave up a couple of singles in a row mixed with a walk or two,” Blanton said. “I threw a lot of close pitches that could have been called either way.”

Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis and Keith Ginter homered for Oakland.

At the A’s minor-league complex, Frank Thomas, with 448 career home runs, faced 26 pitches in five at-bats as he faced live pitching for the first time since last July.

Thomas had three at-bats during a Triple-A game between the A’s and San Diego Padres, and an additional two at-bats in the Double-A game.

“It was good to go back and forth, seeing a lot of pitches,” said Thomas, still recovering from an ankle injury. “After the second at-bat, everything felt normal.”