Kansas City Royals defeat Tampa Bay Rays to take the series
The Kansas City Royals defeated the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday 7-3 to take two out of three in the series. This is the second consecutive series the Royals have won after taking a pair from the White Sox over the weekend. Jeremy Guthrie pitched 7 strong innings, scattering 4 hits and a walk while not allowing a run.
Alex Gordon went deep to cap off a 4 RBI day and break the homerless drought by Kansas City and notch the first long ball of the season for a team starving in the early going for runs. All of the players in the lineup not name Moustakas contributed to the hit parade against former Royals hurler Jake Odorizzi, who was famously part of the trade to the Rays bringing over starter James Shields. Odorizzi started well, but ended up allowing 7 runs over 5 innings on 10 hits and a walk.
Johnnny Giavotella was called up to fill in for the injured Omar Infante a day after Danny Valencia filled that role at second base. Louis Coleman was also activated for the game, coming off of a minor hand injury linked to his severe control problems in spring training. To make room for Giavotella and Coleman, the Royals sent down relievers Aaron Brooks and Donnie Joseph.
Giavotella notched a hit and an RBI in his call-up with the Royals and is hoping to break out of the funk that has seen him be a good hitter in AAA who has yet to break through with the major league club, posting a .240 batting average and .275 on base percentage over the course of 113 games spanning 3 seasons.
Due to Infante not being placed on the disabled list, the Royals navigated the roster crunch to field Giavotella by going with an 11-man pitching staff.
Other notes:
Omaha Storm Chaser Brett Eibner had quite the day today in a 20-3 Omaha win. He tallied 9 RBI’s in a 5 for 5 day which included 2 home runs and a double.
Kelvin Herrera continues to struggle on the young season, pitching the 9th and allowing a pair of runs on 3 hits, raising his season ERA to 5.40.
Aaron Crow pitched a scoreless inning, allowing 1 hit.
Eric Hosmer and Alex Gordon posted the only multi-hit games by a Royals, both registering 2 hits. Salvador Perez also reached base twice with a hit and a walk.
The Royals have an off day on Thursday before travelling to Minnesota on Friday to face the Twins, with Chen taking the bump for KC.
Mike Moustakas has only 1 hit on the year, a seeing eye grounder in the 9th of Tuesday’s contest, and now has a .038 batting average.