Royals 2, Athletics 0: Vin Mazzaro and three relievers combined on a seven-hitter as host Kansas City blanked Oakland for the second time in three days.

Mazzaro (2-0) worked six innings, scattering four hits and three walks while striking out three. The Athletics’ lone threat against him was erased when Adam Rosales ended the fifth inning by getting thrown out at home after Alex Gordon made a diving catch of a foul ball in left field.

Kelvin Herrera, Greg Holland and Jonathan Broxton each tossed an inning of scoreless relief for the Royals, who took the lead on Eric Hosmer’s solo homer in the second inning and also got an RBI single from Johnny Giavotella in the fifth.

Tommy Milone (6-5) was the hard-luck loser for Oakland despite holding Kansas City to two runs on eight hits in seven innings. He finished with six strikeouts and a walk.

Billy Butler had three of the Royals’ 10 hits.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Oakland has already been shut out 11 times this season, including four times in its last seven games ... Oakland SS Cliff Pennington went 0-for-3 and is hitless in 29 consecutive at-bats. ... Five of the last seven meetings between the clubs have ended in shutouts, with the Athletics on the losing end three times.