The Tampa Bay Rays snapped their six-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon, beating the Kansas City Royals 4-1 behind a strong outing from Taj Bradley and four Tampa Bay relievers.
The Rays win also snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Royals.
It was a pitcher’s dual through the first five innings as Michael Wacha of the Royals and Taj Bradley matched each other pitch for pitch.
Wacha had a no-hitter through five innings, while Bradley allowed just one hit through five before giving way to Shawn Armstrong.
Bradley, who had allowed only three walks in his first three outings, had three walks on Sunday afternoon while striking out six.
He gave way to Shawn Armstrong in the sixth inning, and Bobby Witt Jr. led off the inning with his ninth home run of the season, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead.
Royals starter Michael Wacha held the Rays hitless through five innings before Jose Cabellero doubled to open the bottom of the sixth for the Rays, but Tampa couldn’t get him across home plate.
Rays Offense Comes Alive In The Seventh Inning
The Rays offense finally came alive in the bottom of the seventh inning. A single by Harold Ramirez followed by an Isaac Paredes double put runners at first and second with no outs.
John Screiber relieved Royals starter Michael Wacha and drilled Randy Arozarena to load the bases for the Rays.
Brandon Lowe, who was hitting just .140, pinch-hit for Amed Rosario and hit a line drive into right field to clear the bases and give the Rays a 3-1 lead.
Jose Siri then drove in Lowe with an RBI single to give the Rays a 4-1 lead after seven innings.
Lowe met with the media after the game and talked more about the team snapping the losing streak than the game-winning hit.
“Anytime that you go through a little skid as we did, I mean, it sucks, and you want to move past it as quickly as possible. They happen. But to get a win that way, to show up in those high-stress situations, it feels good and I feel like it really ignites everybody around it.”
The Royals threatened in the top of the eighth, but a tremendous defensive play by Randy Arozarena to throw out Bobby Witt Jr. helped snuff out the Royals rally and keep it a 4-1 game.
Shawn Armstrong, Garrett Cleavinger, Kevin Kelly, and Pete Fairbanks all worked in relief for the Rays, with Fairbanks earning his sixth save of the season.
Kevin Cash was happy to see the Rays win and have a day to enjoy it before their next game on Tuesday.
“The guys needed to feel good about something. They needed to feel good about themselves. So, happy that we have an off day with a W. You go into some of these stretches like we’ve been in, and that 24 hours on a day off doesn’t feel too good. So, hopefully we appreciate it a little bit more.”
The Rays are off Monday before opening up a three-game home stand against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night. Zack Littell will start for the Rays.
Rays News And Notes
- The Rays have activated Shane Baz from the 15-day DL, and he will be starting a rehab assignment at Durham this week.
- Jeffrey Springs suffered a setback with his rehab assignment with shoulder tightness and will be evaluated.
- Josh Lowe is back on the DL with an oblique strain.
- In three Class A Port Charlotte rehab games, Rays infielder Taylor Walls is 2/11 with a solo home run.