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The Kansas City Royals entered Wednesday\u2019s action looking to take firm control of their four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.<\/p>\n
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The Royals won the first two games; the Rays were outscored 14-6 while not holding a lead once in the series.<\/p>\n
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On Wednesday, the Royals got behind early. A costly error and some well-timed execution doomed the Royals in a 5-3 loss.<\/p>\n
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In the third inning, the Rays scored two runs on an ill-advised throwing error from Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone. After loading the bases, the Rays were able to manufacture their offense against Royals starter Noah Cameron.<\/p>\n
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Rays outfielder Ryan Vilade hit a line drive towards Caglianone, who touched the first base bag to record an out. However, Caglianone tried to secure an additional out by throwing quickly to home plate.<\/p>\n
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His throw was offline as the baseball rolled past catcher Salvador Perez. It allowed Nick Fortes and Yandy Diaz to score.<\/p>\n
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Later, Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda added an RBI single. Cameron was charged with three earned runs in the frame.<\/p>\n
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Cameron was inefficient from the start. The Rays (44-33) made him work with prolonged at-bats throughout the night. Diaz opened the game with a 10-pitch at-bat and it helped to elevate Cameron\u2019s pitch count.<\/p>\n
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At times, it seemed like Cameron couldn\u2019t land his secondary pitches. The Rays swung at his curveball and changeup, but the pitches didn\u2019t generate many whiffs.<\/p>\n
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Cameron did enough to log five innings. However, he surrendered eight hits while walking three batters and registering five strikeouts.<\/p>\n
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Meanwhile, the Rays added two more runs in the fourth inning. Diaz recorded an RBI single and outfielder Jonny DeLuca produced an RBI double.<\/p>\n
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The Royals (34-47) trailed 5-0 at that point. The offense got two runs back after the Rays committed two errors of their own.<\/p>\n
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Rays shortstop Taylor Walls booted a line drive from Caglianone. The misplay put runners on second and third base with Perez coming to the plate.<\/p>\n
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Perez would hit a line drive to Rays left-fielder Chandler Simpson. Yet, Simpson couldn\u2019t corral the baseball as two runs scored.<\/p>\n
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The Royals scored a run in the ninth but wouldn\u2019t draw any closer. The club finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position (RISP) and left eight batters on base.<\/p>\n
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Rays starter Griffin Jax earned his third victory. He allowed two runs while striking out seven batters across five innings. In the ninth, Rays closer Bryan Baker earned the save.<\/p>\n
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What\u2019s next:<\/b> Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (3-4, 3.69 ERA) will start opposite Rays lefty Ian Seymour (3-1, 4.98 ERA) in the series finale. First pitch is set for 11:10 a.m. Central.<\/p>\n
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