Rays clobber Royals in complete victory

by Gary Shelton on August 29, 2017 · 2 comments

in general

Morrison was good in the field, too, Monday night./JEFFREY S. KING

Morrison was good in the field, too, Monday night./TRAVIS PENDERGRASS

Tuesday, 3 a.m.

It wasn't so much that the Tampa Bay Rays played great on offense Monday night. Although they did.

And it wasn't so much that the Rays pitched great. Although, they were stellar.

It wasn't even so much that the Rays played solid defense. Although, that happened, too.

No, the most staggering thing that happened for the Rays was where all of this occurred. The Rays, who must think Kauffman Stadium is where you go if you die

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Pruitt gave up only one hit in six innings ./CARMEN MANDATO

Pruitt gave up only one hit in six innings ./CARMEN MANDATO

and you've been bad, clobbered the Kansas City Royals, 12-0, on the road. The Rays had lost eight straight to Kansas City, and 15 of their last 16.

It didn't happen Monday night, as the Rays won one of their most lopsided games of the year.

Start with the hitting, which was particularly un-Ray-like. Tampa Bay scored six times

Kiermaier had two hits for the Rays./CARMEN MANDATO

Kiermaier had two hits for the Rays./CARMEN MANDATO

in the third and four in the ninth, and finally, there were runners on base when the Rays homered. Tampa Bay scored eight runs on three homers.

Then there was the pitching. Rays' starter Austin Pruitt went six innings and gave up only one hit. Matt Andriese, returning from injury, threw the final three innings, and also allowed only one hit. Together, they extended Kansas City's scoreless streak to 43 innings in a row.

Throw in good defense — especially by first baseman Logan Morrison – and you have a rare complete game from the Rays, who are now 2 ½ games out of the second wild-card spot.

“He was awesome,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Pruitt. “If he pitches a little

Adriese returned to the lineup./CARMEN MANDATO

Adriese returned to the lineup./CARMEN MANDATO

better, maybe he'll go back out for seventh. One hit and no runs doesn't cut it sometimes.”

Logan Morrison continued to swing a hot bat, hitting his 32nd home run and adding a double off the outfield wall. Kevin Kiermaier and Adeiny Hechavarria each had two hits.

“If he wants to slow down around 40 and get quiet, then pick it back up, that's okay,” Cash said. “He's feeling really good. He's controlling the at bat.

Pruitt had struggled in his previous two starts, but showed command from the start against the Royals. He stuck out six and threw only 78 pitches.

“Overall, it went pretty well,” Pruitt said. “No runs and one hit against that team, it's a good night. That's a good ballclub over there. I was hitting my spots.”

The Rays accomplished two things on the mound. Matt Andriese, just off the disabled list, got some work, and the bullpen got a night of rest.

Tampa Bay, which has won five of its last seven, will play against the Royals again tonight at 8:15. Alex Cobb pitches against Jakob Junis.

Duda's last four hits have all been homers./CARMEN MANDATO

Duda's last four hits have all been homers./CARMEN MANDATO

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