Game 106: Tampa Bay @ Kansas City

Game Date: July 27, 2008
Royals 6, Rays 1 / Box Score
WP: Davies (4-2), LP: Sonnanstine (10-6)
Royal Home Runs: Aviles (5), Butler (6)
Royals Record: 47-59

A 2-5 homestand is hardly anything to get excited about, but at least the Royals split with the Rays over the last four games—which is close to a miracle, given all the mistakes the Royals made in the series.

The Royals played a little long ball yesterday to pick up the win. Mike Aviles had a solo shot in the first inning and Billy Butler put a dent (literally) in the left field foul pole with a three-run shot in the seventh inning. Toss in an RBI double by Butler in the fourth and an RBI double by David DeJesus in the fifth and the Royals' pitching staff had all the run support they needed.

Kyle Davies had a solid start. His final numbers show that he went five innings and gave up just one earned run, but it could have been worse. He got into a bases loaded jam to start the sixth and, after allowing one run to score, Ron Mahay came in and bailed Davies out—keeping the Rays from scoring again over the next two innings. Leo Nunez pitched a scoreless inning and Joakim Soria finished the game off with a five-pitch ninth inning.

The Royals hit the road to open a new series in Oakland tonight. Zack Greinke (7-7, 4.06) will go up against Dallas Braden (2-0, 4.05). Greinke is 1-0 in his career against the A's with a 2.83 ERA in 28.2 IP. Braden is 0-1 against the Royals with an 8.44 ERA in 5.1 IP.