The Tampa Bay Rays (50-33) shut out the Kansas City Royals (35-52) 4-0 on Wednesday night in Kansas City. With the win, the Rays have now won seven straight games and increased their lead atop the AL East to 3.5 games over the New York Yankees.
Junior Caminero hit a two-run homer on the first pitch he saw in the first inning to give the Rays an early lead. With the blast, Junior became the youngest player since at least 1900 to homer in six straight games at 22 years old
The score would remain 2-0 until the sixth inning, when Cedric Mullins hit a solo shot to lift the Rays to a 3-0 lead. Then in the eighth he added a RBI single to make it 4-0 - he finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs driven in and a run scored. Taylor Walls added three hits for the Rays, who out-hit Kanas City 11-6 in the game.
Shane McClanahan (7-5, 3.05) got the win after pitching six shutout innings in which he allowed three hits while striking out four and walking none. Kevin Kelly got the final four outs of the game to earn his fourth save of the season and secure the shutout win.
The Rays will now try for a sweep against the Royals when they meet in the series finale on Thursday night. Ian Seymour (4-1, 4.32) is scheduled to start for the Rays, while Stephen Kolek (4-2, 4.15) is expected to pitch first for Kansas City. First pitch on Thursday night is scheduled for 7:40 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:30 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES