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The Kansas City Royals hit the road looking for a better showing \u2014 and to break a trend.<\/p>\n
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This season, the club had dropped 24 of its 37 games away from Kauffman Stadium.<\/p>\n
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On Monday, the Royals began a seven-game road trip in St. Petersburg, Florida, against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. It was the club\u2019s first time back inside the venue since the 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n
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It was also a special return for Royals starter Michael Wacha. The Royals veteran spent 2021 with the Rays organization and made 23 starts.<\/p>\n
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And Wacha looked right at home. He allowed one run across seven innings as the Royals earned a 2-1 victory.<\/p>\n
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Wacha earned his fifth win and had firm control of his entire pitching arsenal as the Royals improved to 33-46.<\/p>\n
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Wacha displayed two different fastballs. He also mixed in a sinker alongside his usual changeup and curveball. The pitch selection was strategic as the Rays stacked their lineup with six right-handed hitters.<\/p>\n
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The Rays\u2019 (43-32) lineup created opportunities for Wacha to feature his sinker and cutter exclusively to the right-handers. The approach led to 10 groundouts \u2014 including a key double play in the first inning.<\/p>\n
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And when he needed it, Wacha reached back with his four-seam fastball. In the seventh inning, Wacha used the heater to avoid potential trouble. Wacha struck out Rays catcher Nick Fortes with a 94.4 mph fastball.<\/p>\n
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Later, he got Rays second baseman Richie Palacios to pop out in foul territory. Palacios was the final batter Wacha faced as he stranded a runner at second base.<\/p>\n
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Wacha recorded his 11th quality start of the season. He has pitched at least six innings in seven of his 10 previous starts against the Rays.<\/p>\n
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The Royals\u2019 offense provided Wacha with enough run support. In the second inning, KC outfielder Lane Thomas hit an RBI double down the left-field line. Later, Carter Jensen extended his hitting streak to 13 games with an RBI single.<\/p>\n
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Jensen owns a .365 batting average since June 6. This season, the KCMO native ranks among the top American League rookies in extra-base hits (26), RBIs (40) and hits (59).<\/p>\n
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Both runs came off Rays starter Drew Rasmussen. He allowed four hits and struck out five batters in six innings.<\/p>\n
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In the eighth inning, the Royals turned to their bullpen. Royals reliever John Schreiber struck out two batters but allowed a two-out walk to Rays third baseman Jonathan Aranda. Tampa Bay would insert pinch-runner Victor Mesa Jr. at first base. However, Jensen would throw out Mesa attempting to steal second.<\/p>\n
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Mesa ran on first movement, but Jensen corralled a 95 mph sinker and made an accurate throw to Royals second baseman Michael Massey covering the bag.<\/p>\n
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Massey made the tag as Mesa was out to end the eighth. As Schreiber walked off the field, he celebrated with Jensen.<\/p>\n
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The Royals preserved their 2-1 lead. And from there, Alex Lange recorded his sixth save with a scoreless frame.<\/p>\n
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What\u2019s next:<\/b> Royals right-hander Luinder Avila (2-3, 5.50 ERA) will start on Tuesday night opposite Rays lefty Shane McClanahan (6-4, 3.33 ERA) at Tropicana Field. First pitch is set for 5:40 p.m. Central Time.<\/p>\n
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