Tampa Bay Rays vs Kansas City Royals Match Player Stats On Aug 30, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Aug 30, 2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jake Odorizzi picked up his first victory in six starts, and Logan Morrison homered to continue his hot streak as the Tampa Bay Rays downed the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Wednesday night.

Odorizzi (7-7), who was 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA in his first four August starts, allowed three runs on four hits, two which failed to leave the infield, in five-plus innings. He walked three, struck out three and earned his first victory since July 17.

Morrison has 33 home runs and 76 RBIs, both career highs. His fifth-inning home run was his second of the series and the fourth in a week.

Jason Vargas (14-9) was the losing pitcher, giving up five runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings. He fanned one.

Alex Colome picked up his big-league-leading 40th save, striking out three in the ninth, although he did give up a single to Salvador Perez.

The Rays (67-68) won the three-game series and moved a half-game above the Royals (65-67) in the American League wild-card standings.

Vargas retired the Rays on seven pitches in the first inning. Morrison led off the Tampa Bay second, and Vargas had to throw him 13 pitches before he flied out.

Vargas labored through a 27-pitch third inning, giving up three runs on three hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly.

With one out, Adeiny Hechavarria homered to left-center, a 399-foot shot on a 1-0 Vargas pitch.

No. 9 hitter Peter Bourjos drew a walk and motored to third on Kevin Kiermaier's single to center. Steven Souza Jr. singled home Bourjos with Kiermaier taking third. Evan Longoria's fly out to center fielder Lorenzo Cain got Kiermaier home.

Odorizzi could not hold the lead long. He walked Cheslor Cuthbert to lead off the third, and Alcides Escobar had a bunt single. Whit Merrifield drove an Odorizzi cutter out to left with Cuthbert and Escobar aboard, his 17th home run.

Souza and Morrison stroked solo blasts in the fifth to give the Rays a 5-3 advantage. Souza took a curve out to left, his 28th home run. Morrison clobbered a Vargas 85 mph fastball out to right, his 33rd home run. The two shots covered 852 feet.

NOTES: After a day off Thursday, the Royals have only one more off day the remainder of the season, Sept. 18. They were to be off on Sept. 25, but instead will have a makeup game at the New York Yankees. ... With rosters expanding to 40 on Friday, don't expect the Royals to add any names that have not been with them earlier this season. The promotions will likely come in two waves, on Friday and on Tuesday after Triple-A Omaha's season ends. ... The Royals could also reinstate RHPs Joakim Soria, Neftali Feliz and Trevor Cahill soon from the disabled list. ... The Rays continue this trip with a three-game series beginning Friday at Chicago against the White Sox. Ray LHP Blake Snell (2-6, 4.29) will start the series opener. ... Royals RHP Jason Hammel will start Friday at Minnesota in the first game of a weekend series.