Goodbye, Kansas City: Rays 3, Royals 6

The Rays leave Kansas City losers of ten of the last twelve games after being swept by the Royals. The Royals manufactured two runs in the first and second innings to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead. One run due to a rare fielding error by Evan Longoria.

The Rays cut the lead to 4-3 after putting up single runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings. Mahtook scored the first run after hitting a lead off line drive over Lorenzo Cain’s head in center and coming in on a two out single by Brad Miller. Longoria added a single in the gap that Miller attempted to score, but was thrown out at the plate.

Curt Casali homered on fly ball to left field with two outs in the fifth. Brandon Guyer added to his league lead with his fifteenth hit by pitch of the season.

Logan Morrison doubled on a groundball down the first base line for a threat in the sixth with two runners in scoring position with one out. Desmond Jennings grounded weakly to third that would score Souza, but the Rays couldn’t add any more.

The Royals extended their lead to 6-3 with single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. In the seventh inning Enny Romero loaded the bases with no outs, but was able to limit the damage to one run. Kevin Kiermaier’s speed and arm in center field were sorely missed when both runs scored directly to Jenning’s arm preventing the Royals from having a shot at preventing the extra base.

In the top of the seventh the Rays put up a one out threat against Joakim Sorai after a double off the top of the center field wall by Casali and a walk by Guyer. Soria struggled with throwing quality pitches, but was able to strike out Miller and Longoria to end the inning.

In the top of the ninth the Rays faced a daunting task in facing Wade Davis with a three run lead. The Rays started with two outs before bringing the tying run to bat, Miller, after a walk by Casali and single by Guyer.

The Rays had opportunities to score runs, but were one for eight with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base. The defense could have prevented runs. Chris Archer was okay, but not good enough. This Rays team looks completely different without Kiermaier and Forsythe, and they need to start putting results up before the season gets away from them.