The Rays finally beat Kansas City, a win that left them feeling, well, like royalty.
After six straight defeats to the Royals, and being outscored 42-21, the Rays finally salvaged their final game of the year with a 3-2 win over Kansas City, which allowed them to come back to within two games of .500.
The Rays got a tie-breaking home run from Kevin Kiermaier, who had a strong homestand, and another from Brandon Guyer in the win. Brad Boxberger closed out the game for his 32nd save of the season.
The Rays now go on the road to Baltimore.
Kansas City threatened to tie the game, getting runners to the corners with one out in the eighth inning, before Xavier Cedeno coaxed a double-play ball to get out of the inning.
For the Rays, Nathan Karns pitched five innings, the longest stint a Rays starting pitcher has throw for the last five.
The Rays had lost 10 of their last 15 games, and five of the previous six. The Rays are now 23-23 on the season in one-run games. The Rays have played 75 games which have been decided by less than two runs, the most in the majors.
The Rays send Chris Archer (11-10) to the mound today to face Wie-Yin Chin of the Orioles.
