The Tampa Bay Rays (45-33) blew out the Kansas City Royals (34-48) 13-2 on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field. With the win, the Rays split the four-game series at two games apiece.
Junior Caminero hit three home runs to lead the way for a Rays offense that came up with 15 hits and 13 runs. The Rays scored two in the first to strike early, before getting three in the fourth and two in the fifth to begin to pull away. They added one in the seventh and five in the eighth to turn the game into a blowout.
The Rays pitching was dominant throughout this one, Casey Legumina was the opener ahead of Ian Seymour (4-1, 4.32). The two combined for eight no-hit innings in which they struck out seven and walked one. Craig Kimbrell allowed the first hit of the game with one out in the ninth inning - a two-run homer to Carter Jensen that ended both the no-hit and shutout bid.
The Rays remain at home and will begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks beginning on Friday night. Nick Martinez (6-2, 2.73) is scheduled to start for the Rays in the three-game series on Friday night. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 7:10 PM - pregame coverage begins with Ronnie Lane hosting Inside Pitch at 6:00 PM on 95.7 WDAE & AM 620, your Home of Rays Baseball.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES