Nelson Velázquez showcased his power with a home run and an RBI double during a three-run 11th inning that propelled the Kansas City Royals to a 7-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, securing their eighth consecutive win. Following a tied score in the 10th inning, Velázquez kickstarted the 11th with a crucial hit and crossed the plate on Adam Frazier’s single that brought in a run off Richard Lovelady (0-3). Maikel Garcia also contributed to the offensive surge with a key hit that drove in a run.
Pitcher James McArthur (2-2) delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run over two innings, while Nick Anderson closed out the game with a scoreless 11th inning to earn his first save of the season. On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Rays suffered their sixth consecutive loss, struggling to contain the Royals’ late-game offensive push. The game took a concerning turn when Kansas City’s Kyle Isbel was hit in the face by a pitch from reliever Garrett Cleavinger in the seventh inning, resulting in facial lacerations that required further evaluation.
Despite the setback with Isbel’s injury, Dairon Blanco stepped in as a pinch hitter and made an immediate impact by driving in a run with a sacrifice fly, putting the Royals ahead 3-2. Velázquez continued to shine, adding a second-inning home run to his impressive offensive display, while Bobby Witt Jr. extended his hitting streak to eight games with an RBI single off Aaron Civale in the third inning. The Royals’ resilience and offensive firepower were on full display as they secured another hard-fought victory to extend their winning streak.
Michael Wacha, with a record of 4 wins and 4 losses and an ERA of 4.35, is scheduled to start for the Royals. He will be up against Taj Bradley, who holds a record of 1 win and 2 losses with an ERA of 4.00, pitching for the Rays. The game will start at 12:40 p.m. at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Tune in to Classic Hits KQNK 106.7 FM, 102.5 FM & 1530 AM for the pregame show starting at 12 noon.
