ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Nelson Velázquez homered and had an RBI double in a three-run 11th inning as the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 on Saturday for their eighth straight victory.
After both teams scored once in the 10th, Velázquez opened the 11th with his hit and scored on Adam Frazier's run-scoring single off Richard Lovelady (0-3). Maikel Garcia also drove in a run with a hit.
“That’s what good teams do, play hard and pick each other up,” Frazier said. “That’s a recipe for success.”
James McArthur (2-2) allowed one run in two innings, and Nick Anderson worked a scoreless 11th to get his first save.
“That was a battle,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said. “It took a lot of guts from both sides to stay in a really competitive game.”
Kansas City has scored seven or more runs in a team-record six consecutive games.
The Rays have lost six in a row.
“Very frustrating,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “Would rather be talking about wins but right now they're tough to come by.”
Kansas City's Kyle Isbel left in the seventh after a pitch by reliever Garrett Cleavinger hit him in the face while swinging. Isabel remained on his feet and walked off with a trainer holding a towel on his face. The team announced that Isbel has facial lacerations and will undergo additional tests.
“I think we’re extremely lucky,” Quatraro said. “Got him on the bridge of the nose.”
Royals starter Brady Singer talked with Isbel in the clubhouse.
“He's in really good spirits,” Singer said. “He's as tough as a bull. so I expect him to be back quick.”
Dairon Blanco pinch-hit for Isbel and put the Royals ahead 3-2 on a sacrifice fly.
Velázquez had a second-inning homer and Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to a season-high eight games with an RBI single off Aaron Civale in the third.
Kansas City reliever Chris Stratton got the first out in the seventh with a nifty reach behind-the-back grab on Amed Rosario's comeback. The right-hander then hit a batter and issued a walk, and was replaced by Angel Zerpa, who allowed pinch-hitter Harold Ramírez's game-tying RBI single.
Kansas City’s Hunter Renfroe hit a towering fly with a runner on second and two outs in the ninth that Ramírez lost sight of in left field, but center fielder Jose Siri was backing up the play and made the catch.
Jonathan Aranda hit a solo homer in fourth off Royals Singer.
Both Civale and Singer gave up two runs and four hits over five innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: INF Michael Massey, who left Friday’s game with lower back tightness, didn’t play. Massey has had occasional back issues since spring training.
Rays: LHP Jeffrey Springs, coming back from Tommy John surgery, left his second start with the rookie-level FCL Rays after one batter due to left shoulder tightness, ... OF Josh Lowe went on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. Lowe has played in just 14 games after starting the season on the IL with an injury in the same area.
UP NEXT
Royals RHP Michael Wacha (4-4. 4.35 ERA) and Rays RHP Taj Bradley (1-2, 4.00 ERA) are Sunday’s starters.
