Friday, 4 a.m.
They scored 10 runs. They had 16 hits and 24 baserunners. They faced 228 pitches.
And still, it felt more like the Rays survived rather than won Thursday night.
On Fireworks Day, the Rays’ offense had one of its better games. But it needed every bit of it to beat the Kansas City Royals 10-8. Despite the Rays having leads of 4-0 and 9-4, the Royals would not go away.
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The Rays got three hits from both Jonny DeLuca and Brandon Lowe, both of whom also had a home run.
Amed Rosario and Ben Rortvedt each had two hits. But Rortvedt’s biggest play came in the bottom of the sixth when he threw out Bobby Witt Jr. with two men on base and the Rays clinging to a 9-7 lead.
The Rays’ pitching wasn’t as sharp. Starter Zach Eflun got the win, but he gave up seven hits and five earned runs in his five innings. Pete Fairbanks gave up Witt’s 14th home run, but he got his 14th save.
The Rays left 13 men on base and missed on 12 of 18 opportunities with runners in scoring position.
The Rays have now won five straight series and are 44-43 on the season.
Tampa Bay now travels to Texas to face the Rangers. The Rays have not announced their starter for the game. The Rangers will pitch Michael Lorenzen.