Ryan McBroom took two big swings forward in his quest for a spot on the Royals’ Opening Day roster on Wednesday.
The first baseman launched a no-doubt two-run home run in the first inning of the Royals’ 10-5 loss to the A’s and followed up with a deep sacrifice fly to center field in the third inning.
McBroom, 28, is in the same situation as fellow first baseman Ryan O’Hearn is in this spring. The two were poised to battle for a starting spot coming into spring until the Royals signed Carlos Santana, so manager Mike Matheny’s message to McBroom and O’Hearn was to find the positives and enter Spring Training with an eye on earning a bench spot.