Rays left-hander Drew Smyly looks to turn the tables after giving up eight runs in four innings against the Royals in May and will oppose Ian Kennedy, who is 1-4 lifetime versus Tampa Bay.
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Strahm then struck out Brad Miller and Desmond Jennings on four pitches apiece, including a 97 miles per hour pitch to retire Jennings.
Miller’s 19th home run of the season came off of Joakim Soria (4-5), who gave up three of Tampa Bay’s four hits for the game in his one inning.
Tampa Bay Rays’ Kevin Kiermaier follows the flight of his three-run home run off Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Chien-Ming Wang during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Together, Andriese and Ramirez retired 10 straight Royals.
The Rays had their chances, but the offense was 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base. But that’s the way it goes, they pitched well against us.
“Tough loss”, said Rays’ manager Kevin Cash.
Odorizzi (6-5) allowed two singles, walked two and had six strikeouts in six innings.
PHILLIES 13, GIANTS 8 Aaron Altherr had a homer and five RBIs, Maikel Franco homered and went 4 for 4 and the Philadelphia Phillies used a five-run eighth inning to beat the San Francisco Giants in a wild game.
Odorizzi hasn’t given up a run in his last 20 2/3 innings, four short of the team record for a starting pitcher.
Enter Erasmo Ramirez, another starter-turned-reliever.
It was Strahm’s second appearance for the Royals since being called up from Kansas City’s Double-A affiliate.
“I just go out there and play”, Miller said. Paulo Orlando had three hits while Eric Hosmer added two for the Royals.
The Rays try again tonight when Jake Odorizzi pitches against the Royals.
Royals DH Kendrys Morales received a one-game suspension and a fine for his actions following a ninth inning ejection, which included returning to the field, in Tuesday night’s game.
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NOTES: After making three deals at the trade deadline and playing two men down Monday, the Rays got back to 25 players, recalling UTL Taylor Motter and RHP Ryan Garton from Triple-A Durham. The Rays hit for the cycle in their first seven at-bats Wednesday – double, single, home run, triple – so almost anything from Kennedy will be a step in the right direction.
