Oakland, Calif. ? Oakland backup catcher Landon Powell had another big day then prepared himself for a return to the Athletics’ bench.

Making a rare start in place of starter Kurt Suzuki, Powell threw out a baserunner in the first inning then hit his first career grand slam in the second to help Oakland beat the Kansas City Royals, 10-4, on Wednesday.

The four RBIs were a career-high for the A’s rookie, who has driven in 27 runs over his first 36 games. Yet when Oakland hosts Seattle in a four-game series beginning Thursday, the 27-year-old Powell is almost certain to go back to his customary spot on the bench.

“It’s not frustrating, I understand it’s early in my career,” Powell said. “We’ve got a great starting catcher who works hard and is one of the better players in the game. As a player you always want to play more.”

Suzuki leads the A’s in RBIs and is second on the team with 11 home runs. He earned a day off from manager Bob Geren then watched his understudy go to work.

It’s something Oakland is getting accustomed to seeing from Powell. He has thrown out seven of 15 baserunners trying to steal and is batting .393 with runners in scoring position.

Mike Jacobs homered for the Royals, who lost two of three against Oakland without manager Trey Hillman. Hillman, who left on Monday to be with his family following the death of his father-in-law, is expected to rejoin the team Friday in Kansas City.

“It was one of those series that we were fortunate to get away with one win,” interim manager John Gibbons said. “They make you throw strikes that’s the way they’ve always been here. If you don’t do that you are under the gun the whole game.”