The KC Royals offense came to life and backed a solid start from Bruce Chen en route to the 8-2 win over Tampa Bay.

It looked like it might be a short outing for Chen after the second inning, as the Rays led 2-0. But he settled down and the Royals offense went to work against Rays rookie starter Chris Archer.

Alcides Escobar doubled in the Royals first run in the third inning. Alex Gordon reached on a Sean Rodriguez error (his second of the inning), which scored Escobar. Yuniesky Betancourt followed with a two-run homerun to give the Royals the lead.

After being given the lead, Chen only really got into trouble in the 6th inning with two outs,  but got SRod to line out to end the inning.

Chen’s final line: 7IP, 5H, 2R (1ER), 1BB, 5K.

The Royals scored four runs in the 8th inning to put some distance between them and the Rays. The inning was capped by Jeff Francoeur’s three-run homerun, his seventh of the season.

The Royals relief combo of Aaron Crow and Francisley Bueno allowed just one hit over the final two innings. They combined to throw just 22 pitches.

Every Royals starter had at least one hit except Mike Moustakas.

*The Royals and Rays finish their series on Wednesday afternoon,  as Everett Teaford will return from the minors to start the finale. He will face Rays rookie lefty Matt Moore.