KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Michael Wacha allowed one run on two hits in six innings, Salvador Perez drove in two runs and the Kansas City Royals got a spectacular defensive play from Kyle Isbel in the ninth to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Wednesday night.
After reliever Chris Stratton gave up a run in the eighth, Royals closer James McArthur got Jose Siri to fly out to right and Richie Palacios to foul and leave runners at second and third.
McArthur came back for the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to Ben Rortvedt, but then struck out Yandy Diaz and saw Isbel steal extra bases from Taylor Walls with a leaping catch off the wall in center. McArthur then had Isaac Paredes return to the pitcher to finish his 15th save.
Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino also drove in runs to lead Kansas City to its AL-leading 31st home win.
Wacha (5-6) walked three and struck out eight, and the only run he allowed was on Paredes’ home run in the first. It was his eighth straight start allowing two earned runs or less, helping him win for the first time since May 20.
Ryan Pepiot (4-5) allowed two runs in four in his four innings for Tampa Bay. He struck out three.
After the series opener was delayed 2 1/2 hours by rain and ended after midnight, and Wednesday night’s game began in a drizzle, the clouds finally broke and a brilliant double rainbow appeared beyond the right field wall at sunset.
Tampa Bay jumped ahead on Parades’ home run, but that was all the Rays got with Wacha on the mound. He left Amed Rosario third in the second round, lost two in the third and worked around a double lead in the fourth.
The Royals took advantage of the opener, getting three hits in the third inning to take the lead. Kyle Isbel led off with a single, but it was Witt’s double to left and Pasquantino’s single moments later that drove in the runs.
Kansas City still led 2-1 in the seventh when Shawn Armstrong passed Maikel Garcia and Witt. Perez went to the plate and hit the ball just enough to hit a single to right, scoring both and giving the Royals a cushion.
RAYS MAKE A DEAL
Tampa Bay traded RHP Aaron Civale to the NL Central-leading Brewers, who hope he can help a starting rotation decimated by injuries. The Rays received INF Gregory Barrios in the deal and assigned him to Class A Bowling Green. Tampa Bay filled Civale’s vacancy by recalling RHP Justin Sterner from Triple-A Durham.
NEXT
Rays RHP Zach Eflin (4-5, 3.92 ERA) will start the season finale on Thursday night. He is coming off six scoreless innings in a 3-1 win over Washington, his first win since May 13. Royals RHP Alec Marsh (6-5, 4.19) gets the nod for the finale of a 10-game homestand.
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