Kansas City Royals rally past Tampa Bay Rays for 9-4 Saturday win at Tropicana Field
The Kansas City Royals haven’t backed down against the AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays this weekend.
On Saturday, the Royals were rewarded for their ferocious resolve. KC grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the four-game series with a 9-4 victory at Tropicana Field. The Royals overpowered the Rays with three home runs.
With his team trailing 4-0 early, Drew Waters started the offensive avalanche for the Royals. He hit a solo home run in the third inning that traveled 415 feet.
“Some really good at-bats that inning,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I think several of those were first-pitch, getting aggressive, early-count hits where we were looking to do something. Just to keep adding on was a nice thing.”
The Royals scored three runs in the third. And one inning later, Royals catcher Freddie Fermin hit a three-run homer that gave KC a 6-4 advantage. It was his fourth home run of the season.
The Royals were successful in attacking Rays starter Yonny Chirinos. He allowed eight earned runs in 5 1/3 innings of work.
“I was focused on my plan and made a good swing,” Fermin said. “When I hit that ball, I knew it was gone. I was so happy because I think we got the lead.”
The Rays were unable to counter, going scoreless after the second inning. The Royals improved to 22-55.
Wander Franco went 2 for 4 with a home run in his return to the Rays’ lineup. Randy Arozarena singled in four plate appearances to extend his on-base streak at Tropicana Field. But the Rays’ final 17 batters were retired in order.
KC now has a chance to win the series with a victory on Sunday afternoon.
Missed previous games of the series?
Game 1: Drew Waters turns in stellar performance against Rays
Game 2: Royals stung in 11-3 loss to Rays
Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:
Jordan Lyles secures first Royals victory
Royals pitcher Jordan Lyles has finally found the winner’s circle. Lyles made his 16th start of the season on Saturday and tasted the spoils of victory.
He allowed four runs against the Rays. He struggled early, but settled in and shut down the Rays across six innings. He scattered eight hits and did enough to limit the Rays’ high-octane lineup.
“We had the confidence from the beginning,” Fermin said. “After two innings, we made an adjustment and he was making good pitches.”
The Rays welcomed back Wander Franco on Saturday. Franco, who had been benched for two games, greeted Lyles rudely with a solo home run in the first inning. The Rays put four runs on the board before fans at Tropicana Field could find their seats.
But then Lyles found his groove. He pitched with a lead, thanks, in part, to the Royals’ offensive outburst. He mixed in six pitches to keep the Rays off-balance. He threw 52 of 75 pitches for strikes and generated 37 swings and seven whiffs.
“It feels really good,” Lyles said of the victory. “I think just a little bit even more so of just how we played all-around team-wise.”
Drew Waters continues surge at Tropicana Field
Royals outfielder Drew Waters was mired in a 3-for-31 stretch heading into KC’s four-game series against the Rays.
He snapped his mini-slump at Tropicana Field, driving in three runs Thursday and recording two hits Friday.
And then Waters turned in an encore performance Saturday afternoon. He drilled his second home run of the series, off Rays starter Yonny Chirinos.
Turning around a sinker left over the plate, Waters hit a solo shot over the left-field wall in the third inning. It traveled 415 feet and had a 105.5 mph exit velocity.
The homer proved to be the catalyst for the Royals’ comeback. KC scored three runs in the third inning.
“I think in terms of the Royals, everybody wants to focus on what we are not doing,” Waters said. “I think this is going to show what we are capable of doing.
“As long as we stay on track and continue to play as a team, I think good things are to come.”
What’s next: The Royals conclude their four-game series against the Rays. Daniel Lynch is set to start Sunday against Tyler Glasnow.
This story was originally published June 24, 2023 at 5:52 PM.
