Billy Butler‘s solo homerun off just inserted Tampa Bay reliever Burke Badenhop broke the tie and gave the KC Royals the 5-4 victory and three-game sweep over the Rays.
Closer Jonathan Broxton came on in the 9th inning and set the Rays down 1-2-3. After striking out Elliot Johnson, who he made look silly, BJ Upton worked a walk. However Broxton induced a game-ending double play from Carlos Pena to pick up his 19th save of the season.
A sloppy play by first baseman Eric Hosmer and then a Tim Collins walk put the Rays in business in the top of the 8th inning. After getting a strikeout, Collins allowed a two-run triple to Ben Zobrist to tie the game at 4-4. Aaron Crow then entered and escaped the jam.
Shortstop Alcides Escobar fell a triple short of the cycle, as he went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. He hit a solo homerun and upped his average to .315.
Mike Moustakas also hit a solo homerun, his 13th of the season, which gave the Royals a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Every starter had a hit except Alex Gordon (the Royals had 11 hits).
Lefty Everett Teaford was recalled to make the start today. He out-pitched Rays rookie phenom Matt Moore. Teaford allowed two runs on four hits and three walks over five innings (two batters into the 6th inning). He struck out five. Despite the 100 degree temperatures, Moore pitched 7.1 innings. He allowed four runs on ten hits and two walks. He struck out five.
Next up for the Royals is a day off. They then head to Minnesota for four games in three days (a day-night doubleheader on Saturday). They then head to Toronto and Detroit to finish up their 11-game road trip.
*The Royals made a few moves prior to the game. One was to officially activate Teaford. That meant that Francisley Bueno was sent back to the minors. The Royals also recalled outfielder Jason Bourgeois, despite the fact that he was hitting just .205 for Triple-A Omaha. They also ended the three-catcher tandem by designating Humberto Quintero for assignment. The Royals have said that they will try to get Q on a big league roster.
**There was a scary moment in the top of the 8th inning with a play at the plate. Salvador Perez dropped down his surgically repaired knee to block the plate and tag out the sliding Zobrist, who slid right into that knee. The staff came out to check on him, but he stayed in the game.
In the bottom of the 8th inning, there was another scary moment, as Hosmer was hit by a Jake McGee pitch around his elbow. He stayed in the game too.
***For more on the Rays, check out Cowbell Clankers.
