The Tampa Bay Rays (52-41) defeated the Kansas City Royals (36-57) 7-3 on Friday night in Kansas City, Missouri.
After both teams traded runs in the third, the Rays broke the game open in the fourth. Yandy Diaz had the big hit of the inning, coming up with a three-run double to cap off a four run frame and give Tampa Bay a 5-1 lead.
The Royals answered with two in the seventh, but the Rays struck right back in the eighth with a RBI double from Francisco Mejia and a RBI single from Brandon Lowe to make the score 7-3. That would be the final score, after Shawn Armstrong pitched a scoreless ninth inning to secure the win.
Drew Rasmussen (6-3, 3.13) picked up the start and the win after allowing just one earned run on seven hits in five innings while striking out four and walking one.
The Rays will now look to win the series against the Royals on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM - Neil Solondz begins pregame coverage at 6:30 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES