OAKLAND, Calif. — Jonathan Broxton hit Jonny Gomes on the first pitch he threw with the bases loaded in the 12th inning, forcing Jemile Weeks home for the winning run in the Oakland Athletics’ 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

Moments earlier, Broxton (0-1) plunked new A’s cleanup hitter Yoenis Cespedes on the first pitch to load the bases and the closer received a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Eiland.

It marked the third time the A’s won on a game-ending hit by pitch in Oakland history and first since Olmedo Saenz on July 20, 2002, against Texas.

Coco Crisp’s RBI groundout earlier in the 12th tied it at 4 after Billy Butler doubled home the go-ahead run in top half of the inning against Andrew Carignan (1-1).

A day after rain shortened the Royals’ 3-0 win following seven-plus innings, fans got their share of baseball in the finale.

Kansas City heads home for the first time since the start of spring training in mid-February at 3-3, but without the same momentum it would have had with a second winning road series after taking two of three at Los Angeles.

Oakland closer Grant Balfour pitched a scoreless ninth and 10th. He allowed Alcides Escobar’s leadoff single in the 10th and a two-out walk to Jeff Francoeur on four pitches before striking out Mike Moustakas.

The A’s now head out for their first real road trip — a seven-gamer — considering the two matchups with the Mariners in Tokyo two weeks ago counted as Oakland home games.

Kansas City’s Alex Gordon hit a tying home run off Brian Fuentes in the seventh.

Jose Mijares hit Josh Reddick with a breaking ball in the right shoulder area leading off the eighth, but the ball appeared to ricochet into Reddick’s helmet and he went down for a couple of minutes before leaving the game. Coco Crisp came in to run and Greg Holland relieved Mijares, but the A’s couldn’t capitalize.

Gomes hit a two-run homer in the fourth to put the A’s ahead and starter Brandon McCarthy in position for his first victory of the season before Fuentes gave it up.

Cespedes doubled, swiped third for his first steal and scored on catcher Brayan Pena’s throwing error to make it 1-0 Oakland in the second. Pena threw wildly into left field trying to get Cespedes at third on his steal.

Cespedes hit his first career single in the 11th after his initial five hits went for extra bases. The Cuban rookie wrapped up his first homestand 4 for 16 with two home runs and eight strikeouts.

As we cross the halfway point of spring training, one thing is becoming crystal clear. The Kansas City Royals lineup can hit the cover off the ball.

Of the nine players expected to be in the starting lineup once the regular season gets underway, six are hitting above a .300 AVG.

Four players are looking especially sharp down in Arizona. The franchise’s future superstars, Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer are both hitting over .350 and have a combined 4 HR, 7 2B and 24 RBIs in 70 AB. Billy Butler, who came into spring training in the best physical condition of his career, has also been tearing it up. Butler has 13 H and 6 RBIs in just 30 AB.

As the homeward stretch of spring training starts, the team’s biggest positive surprise has been the plate performance of Lorenzo Cain. The young centerfielder is hitting an eye popping .517 AVG with 15 H, of which 6 are doubles. 2012 will mark the first season in which Cain will be an everyday starter in the big leagues.

On the low end, both Mike Moustakas and Jeff Francoeur have been struggling out of the gates. Both players are coming off successful seasons in 2011 and their power will be desperately needed for the Royals to contend for a playoff spot.

Here is a position by position look at the starting lineup of the Kansas City Royals with two weeks to go before Opening Day:

Outfield

Alex Gordon – LF: In 34 AB a .353 AVG, 12 H, 4 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBIs

Lorenzo Cain – CF: In 29 AB a .517 AVG, 15 H, 6 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs

Jeff Francoeur – RF: In 32 AB a .219 AVG, 7 H, 3 2B, 0 HR, 2 RBIs

Infield

Eric Hosmer – 1B: In 36 AB a .361 AVG, 13 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBIs

Johnny Giavotella – 2B: In 33 AB a .242 AVG, 8 H, 3 2B, 0 HR, 4 RBIs

Mike Moustakas – 3B: In 27 AB a .185 AVG, 5 H, 0 2B, 0 HR, 2 RBIs

Alcides Escobar – SS: In 26 AB a .346 AVG, 9 H, 2 3B, 0 HR, 6 RBIs

Catcher, DH

Brayan Pena – C: In 23 AB a .304 AVG, 7 H, 3 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBIs

Billy Butler – DH: In 30 AB a .433 AVG, 13 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBIs

Alex Wibholm is an Iowa native and fan of the Kansas City Royals and AL Central Division. Alex attends several KC games every year.

Sources:

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/