Yesterday was a bad day for the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Kansas City Royals took both games of the double-header, the first by the score of 3-2, and then the second by the score of 8-2.

Fortunately, the New York Yankees also lost, so the Rays still have a two game lead in the division.

Nothing really went right for the Rays as they hit the ball hard in both games and had ample opportunities to score but just couldn’t come through. Blake Snell struggled in his second consecutive outing since returning from the Injured List, only lasting three innings. The highlight of the day was the tremendous outing given by Jalen Beeks, as the southpaw delivered 6 ²⁄₃ nearly perfect innings on the mound, racking up six strikeouts during the one hit performance.

This afternoon, the Rays will look to Charlie Morton as they hope to salvage a series split in Kansas City.

News and Links

• Please spare a thought for this unfortunate fan who lost pizza and fries on separate foul balls - Andrew Mearns, Cut4
• Rays are shifting in ways you’ve rarely ever seen - Mike Petriello, MLB.com
• Rays Wives serve lunch at Ronald McDonald House - The Ray Tank
• Tampa Bay Rays: Talking with the Baseball Brit after his trip to Tampa - Austin Reimann, Rays Colored Glasses
• DH sweep just part of problem for Rays as Kevin Kiermaier questions readiness to play, Blake Snell struggles - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times ($)
• With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the majors, the countdown begins for the Rays’ Wander Franco - John Romano, Tampa Bay Times ($)
• MLB attendance is down again, and rebuilding teams are getting hit hard - Chris Cwic, Yahoo Sports
• Bowden: April Awards for dominating pitchers, breakout hitters and other early-season stars - Jim Bowden, The Athletic ($)
• After more than two decades, Tampa Bay’s Paul Hoover has a home in the majors - Jon Greenberg, The Athletic ($)