The Tampa Bay Rays (65-55) defeated the Kansas City Royals (49-74) 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field. The Rays took three of four from Kansas City in the weekend series, and pushes the team to ten games above .500.
Harold Ramirez drove in a run in the first inning to give the Rays a 1-0 lead, before Christian Bethancourt hit a solo homer in the second. Kansas City got both runs back in the top o f the fifth inning after a Brandon Lowe throwing error - his second of the game - to tie the game 2-2.
In the bottom of the fifth it would be Harold Ramirez coming through again, with a RBI single that gave the Rays a 3-2 lead. From there the Rays would hold on to secure the one-run victory.
Ryan Yarbrough got the start, and allowed only two runs - both of them unearned - in four and one-third inning of work. Shawn Armstrong (2-1, 4.83) relieved him and picked up the win out of the bullpen. Pete Fairbanks worked a perfect ninth inning for his fourth save of the season.
The Rays now begin a four game series with the Angels on Monday night at Tropicana Field. First pitch Monday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - Jay Recher begins coverage with the Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES