Oakland, Calif. ? Josh Outman allowed four hits over seven innings, and the Oakland Athletics gave new manager Bob Melvin his first home victory by beating the Kansas City Royals, 2-1, on Wednesday night.

Cliff Pennington and Daric Barton had RBI singles off starter Luke Hochevar (4-7), who took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before it all fell apart.

The scuffling A’s had lost three straight and 13 of 14 in a streak that began under Bob Geren. Melvin improved to 2-4 since taking over for the fired Geren.

Outman (2-1) struck out two and walked two in the deepest outing of his major-league career without allowing a run. Andrew Bailey pitched a perfect ninth for his second save in three chances.

Kansas City’s Alcides Escobar had three hits, including a double off reliever Brian Fuentes in the eighth, to tie his career high with an eight-game hitting streak. He scored a batter later when Alex Gordon singled to trim Oakland’s lead to 2-1.

Hideki Matsui’s two walks were the only time an Oakland player reached base until Landon Powell’s line-drive single to center leading off the sixth.