By MATT PIKE
The Kansas Royals losing streak on their home turf continued, falling in shutout fashion to the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0 and managing just a total of three hits on the night in all on Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium.
After getting through the first inning cleanly, the Rays got to Royals starter Michael Wacha in the second inning for all three runs. The first scoring on a bunt single by José Caballero with runners on the corners, scoring Christopher Morel. A single by Chandler Simpson loaded the bases, and another run scored on a wild pitch by Wacha, bringing home Josh Lowe, before Caballero scored on a sacrifice fly by Danny Jansen.
Maikel Garcia singled off Rays starter Drew Rasmussen in the first inning and Vinnie Pasquantino singled in the fourth inning for the only two hits allowed by Rasmussen. Bobby Witt Jr’s double off reliever Kevin Kelly in the sixth was the only other hit by the the Royals. Kansas City did get on base three times via walk.
Wacha took the loss, falling to 4-7 on the season, pitching six innings and giving up three runs on nine hits while also striking out nine batters and walking one. At the plate, each with a hit was 1-for-4 on the day, with Witt Jr having the only extra base hit.
Kansas City wraps up their series with Tampa Bay today. Michael Lorenzen (4-7, 4.81 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Shane Baz (7-3, 4.79 ERA) for the Rays. First pitch will be joined at 1:10 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.
