Rays Drop Second Game To Royals

BY LILY BELCHER

In a disappointing 4-2 loss, the Rays drop two out of three games against the Royals, who have the second fewest wins in the AL.

Jeffrey Springs, making his first appearance after a two-week stint on the IL with a calf injury, tossed 78 pitches over 4.1 innings. While he only struck out two, the pop-out pitcher held the Royals to just two runs with only one being earned.

Royals' star rookie Bobby Witt Jr. picked up an RBI single as Whit Merrifield scored from third to give Kansas City an early first inning lead. Michael Taylor scored in the second off a sacrifice fly to Rays centerfielder Roman Quinn.

Leadoff hitter and DH Yandy Diaz hit a solo shot 434 feet into centerfield in the third to attempt to close the gap early. Diaz doubled and scored the tying run in the sixth, thanks to a Luke Raley sacrifice to deep leftfield.

Rays relievers Brooks Raley and Shawn Armstrong each gave up a run in the seventh and eighth, respectively. The seventh inning RBI single by Hunter Dozier scored Merrifield and an eighth inning RBI double by MJ Melendez scored Taylor, giving Kansas City a win.

The Rays will face the Orioles Monday at 7:05 in Baltimore. Corey Kluber is set to take the mound against fellow right hander Austin Voth.

Miscellaneous thoughts:

It was one of the hottest weekends at Kauffman Stadium, despite Rays trainer Mike Sandoval best efforts to cool off the team with a misting hose that looked more like he was spraying the team with a pressure washer.

Springs' son, who was hospitalized with a spinal fluid infection, left the hospital on Sunday. The Rays did as much as possible to accommodate Springs and his family, flying Springs up to Boston to pitch just once at the beginning of July and then back to be with his family. The Rays pitcher admitted that staying in the hospital with his son has been both physically and mentally exhausted, but it really didn't show in his outing.

Both Quinn and Yu Chang had the opportunity to show off their skills this weekend. Most notable, Quinn's fast triple in Saturday's game.

Kevin Cash may be playing slightly less aggressive to ease his team back into the second half. There are still four games to go on the short road trip as the Rays face Baltimore this week. The Rays return to the Trop this weekend to host the Guardians.