Salvador Perez’s two-run home run was what won the game for the Kansas City Royals, but fully appreciated in Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field was a dominating night for the bullpen. The under is 7-2 in Tampa Bay’s last 9 overall and is 9-3-1 in their last 13 on astroturf while going 9-3-1 in their last 13 home games.
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Chris Young (3-8) earned the win in relief, and Kelvin Herrera pitched the ninth for his third save – and second in as many nights. Tampa Bay mustered nine hits with Desmond Jennings recording an RBI while Logan Forsythe and Kevin Kiermaier combined for five hits and a run apiece.
The Rays had their chances, but the offense was 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base. Evan Longoria is 5-for-15 with three RBIs versus Volquez, who boasts a 2.25 ERA in five games against the Rays.Odorizzi is 2-0 in three starts since the All-Star break, stringing together 14 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball over the past two outings.
“We talked with Brad (Monday), he handled it like a pro”, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
“I don’t know why he left (Cedeno) in, but I’ll take it”, said Perez.
Kiermaier answered the challenge Tuesday in the fifth inning against the Royals when he bunted for a hit that led to a pair of runs.
“We’re just coming out here trying to do everything we can do to win each game”, Perez said. He takes a lot of pride, a lot of passion in being a major league shortstop.
Tampa Bay was quieted Ventura for four innings, stranding six runners with opportunity after opportunity snuffed out.
Duffy was part of a four-player trade that sent pitcher Matt Moore to the Giants on Monday. He hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning or later for the sixth time in his career and the third time this season.
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Royals: RHP Luke Hochevar had season-ending surgery to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome.
