So many hits.
Happy Fourth of July, where the Rays found themselves in Kansas City, which is a pretty solid place to celebrate Independence Day, especially if you’re fond of good barbeque. But before the Rays could enjoy burgers and fireworks, they needed to get through nine innings of baseball.
Alec Marsh was on the mound for the Royals, and Zach Eflin got the call for the Rays.
The Rays wasted little time getting on the board. Richie Palacios and Isaac Paredes got back-to-back walks, then both baserunners got to advance on what was officially labeled a “disengagement violation.” Randy Arozarena then hit a groundout to score Palacios, and a Josh Lowe standup double score Paredes. In the home half, the Royals went 1-2-3.
The Rays continued their offensive fireworks with a leadoff single from Jonny DeLuca to start the second. Ben Rortvedt singled, and then Palacios doubled to score Rortvedt. In the bottom half, the Royals got one back on a Michael Massey home run. It was the only baserunner they had for the inning.
Brandon Lowe started the third with a double, then Randy Arozarena drew a walk. DeLuca came through again, this time with a two-out single to score Lowe, putting the Rays up 5-1. Freddy Fermin started the bottom half of the inning with a single, then Nick Loftin got a one-out double. A Bobby Witt Jr. sac fly scored Fermin, then a Vinnie Pasquantino single scored Loftin.
Alec Marsh was done for the day, giving way to Carlos Hernandez, who got the Rays out in order. In the home half Hunter Renfroe got a one-out double. Two outs followed to leave him stranded.
In the top of the fifth, Hernandez issued three back-to-back walks to Brandon Lowe, Randy Arozarena, and Josh Lowe to load the bases with no outs. A Taylor Walls sac fly scored Brandon Lowe, then Josh Lowe stole second. Will Smith came in to replace Hernandez, hoping to staunch the bleeding. Ben Rortvedt then singled to score two runs, putting the Rays up 8-3. In the bottom half Kyle Isbel walked, then Bobby Witt Jr. got a one-out double. A Pasquantino groundout scored Isbel.
With two outs in the sixth, Brandon Lowe hit a solo home run. Randy Arozarena doubled, then a pinch-hitting Jose Siri walked. The Royals went to their bullpen to bring out Nick Anderson, who got the final out of the inning. In the bottom half, Michael Massey reached on a fielding error by Palacios, and got all the way to second. He would have probably advanced to third on another fumble from Walls, but the ball didn’t go far enough. Hunter Renfroe then singled to score Massey. Garrett Cleavinger came in to replace Eflin, and he gave up a double to Garrett Hampson, scoring Renfroe. Freddy Fermin was hit by a pitch, and once Cleavinger had faced the minimum number of batters, he was yanked in favor of Jason Adam. Nick Loftin hit into a force out that should have been a double play, and ended up scoring Hampson, making this game much closer than anyone would like. Witt Jr singled to put runners at the corners, but he was caught stealing to mercifully end the inning.
In a familiar refrain, with two outs in the top of the seventh, Jose Caballero singled, forcing the Royals into another pitching change, bringing in Angel Zerpa. A pinch-hitting Amed Rosario singled, then Paredes singled to score Caballero. The Royals went 1-2-3 in the bottom half.
Once again with two outs in the inning, Taylor Walls singled, then Jonny DeLuca singled. Neither baserunner was able to score. Kevin Kelly came in to pitch at the bottom of the inning and got the Royals out in order.
Sam Long was the next Royals reliever out. Rosario got a one-out single, and Paredes drew a walk. Brandon Lowe then singled to load the bases. Unfortunately, they would stay loaded. In the bottom of the ninth it was going to be up to Pete Fairbanks to get the final three outs. With two outs, Bobby Witt Jr. hit a solo home run. Fairbanks managed to get the final out, and the Rays walked away with the win on a hit-heavy game.
Final: Rays 10, Royals 8
