Royals 3, Athletics 2: Alcides Escobar had two hits and two RBIs as host Kansas City stretched its winning streak to eight games and took over first place in the American League Central.

Alex Gordon and Jarrod Dyson each had a hit and scored in the opener of the four-game series to help the Royals move a half-game ahead of Detroit. Kelvin Herrera (3-2) earned the win with one inning of relief before Wade Davis tossed a perfect eighth and Greg Holland worked out of a jam in the ninth to notch his AL-best 35th save.

Brandon Moss delivered a two-run single for AL West-leading Oakland, which had its lead over the Los Angeles Angels trimmed to 3 1/2 games. Sonny Gray (12-6) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings to lose his third straight start.

A pair of singles and Salvador Perez's double-play grounder accounted for Kansas City's first run in the first before Escobar's two-out RBI single in the second doubled the lead. The Athletics drew even in the fourth, loading the bases on John Jaso's single and two walks before Moss ripped a two-run single to center.

Escobar came through again with two outs in the seventh inning, plating Nori Aoki with a single to center for the go-ahead run. Yordano Ventura went six strong innings for the Royals, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Royals acquired OF Josh Willingham from the Minnesota Twins on Monday in exchange for RHP Jason Adams, who was pitching at Triple-A Omaha. Willingham, who has hit at least 20 homers in five seasons, is expected to take over as the full-time DH. ... Moss was 3-for-32 with zero RBIs in his previous nine games before his tying two-run single. ... ... Royals 1B Billy Butler was named the AL Player of the Week after batting .435 with five doubles, two homers and seven RBIs.