Yandy Díaz hit four singles, including an RBI in the fourth inning, to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 5-3 win Wednesday, June 24 over the Kansas City Royals.
After grounding out in the first, Díaz got to Royals start Noah Cameron, recording his first hit in the third before scoring on Ryan Vilade’s groundout. He was able to cross the plate after Jac Caglianone’s throw home was well offline, resulting in a throwing error that kept the inning going. Jonathan Aranda brought home another run with a single after the error. Díaz’ RBI came in the next inning, after the Rays got a leadoff double and a hit-by-pitch to have runners on the corners. Tampa made it a 5-0 game with Jonny DeLuca’s double and loaded the bases, but a successful ABS challenge ended the threat. Díaz also claimed singles off Lucas Erceg in the sixth and Beck Way in the eighth.
The Royals got on the scoreboard in the fifth after a walk to Carter Jensen and a pair of fielding errors, allowing Jansen and Caglianone to score. However, the Royals’ best chance to tie the game was snuffed out when Isaac Collins was struck out with runners in scoring position. Josh Rojas would record his first home run of the season with one out in the ninth, a solo shot to right field to bring about the final scoreline.
Griffin Jax had no earned runs in his five-inning start for the win, striking out seven while allowing five hits and two walks. Noah Cameron went five innings as well for his fifth loss of the year, having all five runs earned on eight hits and three walks, with five strikeouts. Bryan Baker recorded his 20th save of the year, with Rojas’ home run as the only hit and run allowed, while adding two punchouts.
The Royals (34-47) remain eight games behind Chicago in the AL Central. The four-game series concludes Thursday afternoon with Seth Lugo on the bump against Tampa Bay’s Casey Legumina. First pitch is at 11:10 a.m., with pregame coverage at 10:30 a.m. on KMMO AM 1300.