Michael Lorenzen was sharp over six innings and the offense did just enough to defeat the Rays 3-1 on Tuesday night. The Royals have won seven of eight and have climbed back to .500 on the year.
The Royals jumped on the board in the first inning. Leadoff hitter Jonathan India singled to start the game, then advanced to second on a groundout by Bobby Witt Jr. He would score on an RBI double by Salvador Perez, his sixth double in five games.
The Royals added another run in the second when Drew Waters walked with one out. He advanced to third on a single by Freddy Fermin, and scored on a sac fly by Kyle Isbel to make it 2-0 Royals.
Michael Lorenzen worked around some first-inning trouble, with Jonathan Aranda stranding runners at second and third by grounding out. Junior Caminero hit a 410-foot solo blast to center in the fourth to make it 2-1 Royals. Otherwise Lorenzen was fantastic, allowing just one run over six innings for the second consecutive start and third time this season. He struck out four and threw 60 strikes in 88 pitches.
In the eighth, Bobby Witt Jr. singled, extending his career-high hitting streak to 20.
The Rays threatened in the eighth off Lucas Erceg when Brandon Lowe singled with one out and Junior Caminero laced a double. But Erceg struck out Jonathan Aranda, and retired Christopher Morel on a groundout to end the threat.
The Royals added an insurance run when Maikel Garcia singled and stole second. Freddy Fermin knocked his third hit of the night – despite taking a pitch off the finger on a bunt attempt earlier in the game – scoring Garcia to make it 3-1 Royals.
Carlos Estévez gave up a one-out single to Jose Caballero, then lay a fat pitch to Danny Jansen that was clobbered into left field. It seemed like it could be a game-tying home run off the bat, but the wind may have pushed it back and it landed in Jonathan India’s glove for an easy out. Chandler Simpson grounded out to end the game and give Estévez his eighth save of the year.
The Royals can take the series tomorrow evening when Noah Cameron makes his MLB debut against Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen.
