OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Athletics pitcher Paul Blackburn couldn’t wait for the postgame meal following his first start of the season. Jittery nerves kept the right-hander from eating beforehand, and he was anxious to dig in.

Matt Chapman doubled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to make a winner of Blackburn in his season debut, and Oakland beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 on Thursday night.

“The last 48 hours have been pretty rough for me,” said Blackburn, who was activated off the disabled list before the game. “I don’t think I’ve ate anything. I was just sitting there, stomach turning. It was excitement with nerves, with just everything, getting back out there and competing with the guys.”

Matt Olson hit his 13th home run, Stephen Piscotty singled three times and Marcus Semien added two hits and an RBI to help the A’s to their third win in four games against the Royals over the past seven days.

But Oakland’s pitching was the difference.