Jonny DeLuca and Brandon Lowe hit home runs, and eight different Rays players drove in runs as Tampa Bay capitalized on inconsistent pitching from Kansas City to secure a 10-8 victory on Thursday night.
Zach Eflin, who had not allowed a run in his previous 10 innings, gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings but still managed to earn his first road win in five starts.
“The offense really stepped up tonight,” Eflin commented. “They carried us through the game.”
Alec Marsh, on the other hand, struggled for the Royals, surrendering five runs on six hits and three walks in just three innings. The Kansas City bullpen also had a tough night, allowing five more runs on 10 hits and five walks.
“It was a game where I needed to adjust, and unfortunately, I couldn’t do that,” Marsh acknowledged. “It felt like a battle out there.”
Michael Massey and Bobby Witt Jr. homered for the Royals, who mounted a comeback after trailing 9-4 by scoring three runs in the sixth inning. Their rally was halted when Witt was thrown out trying to steal second base as the potential tying run.
Pete Fairbanks gave up Witt’s solo home run in the ninth but managed to secure his 14th save of the season.
“The team kept pushing and came up with big hits when needed,” Rays manager Kevin Cash noted. “And crucially, we made the plays defensively when it counted.”
Marsh struggled with his command early on, issuing walks to Richie Palacios and Isaac Paredes in the first inning, both of whom later scored. DeLuca’s home run in the second inning and Palacios’ RBI single gave the Rays an early 4-0 lead.
Despite Massey’s home run cutting into the lead in the second inning, DeLuca’s single in the third inning extended Tampa Bay’s advantage to 5-1. Witt’s sacrifice fly and a RBI single from Nick Pratto brought the Royals closer at 5-3 before the Rays secured the win.
