Rays-Royals: Tampa Bay Takes Frustrations Out on Kansas City

The Tampa Bay Rays took care of business at home against the hapless Kansas City Royals, setting up a big showdown with the suddenly rejuvenated Boston Red Sox.

Taking three-out-of-four against the Royals wasn't completely satisfying, as the Rays wasted a tremendous pitching effort by James Shields in game three of the series by not scoring any runs.

The first two games weren't close, as David Price and Jeff Niemann got solid run support.

The arrow was pointed up for Price on Friday night, as he pitched a solid seven innings, scattering five hits and one run while walking only two.

The Rays got a rare early lead in the bottom of the first when Carlos Pena jacked a three-run blast to left field, staking Tampa Bay to a 3-0 edge.

Pat Burrell and Ben Zobrist both went 2-for-4 with runs batted in as the Rays were never really challenged in their 8-2 victory.

Jeff Niemann became the first Rays pitcher to reach the 10-win mark this season with a masterful performance in game two of the series.

Niemann pitched eight strong innings, allowing only four hits and a run. He allowed no free passes, and he struck out seven. His one blemish was a meatball to Royals left fielder David Dejesus.

Things got off on the right foot offensively for the Rays in game two. In the second inning, Jason Bartlett tripled home two runs, then scored himself on an errant throw.

Carl Crawford hit a two-run shot in the eighth, followed by sacrifices by Carlos Pena and Gabe Gross for a four-run inning and a 7-1 decision.

Game three saw James Shields flirting with history. Shields took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before it was broken up by John Buck.

Unfortunately for Shields, his offense was downright offensive, putting up matching goose eggs. This enabled the Royals to steal the game.

Pinch runner Ryan Freel advanced to third on an errant throw by catcher Dioner Navarro (who needs Victor Martinez?) and Mitch Maier drove him home with an infield single. Alex Gordon would steal home later in the inning to give Kansas City a 2-0 edge.

The Royals tacked on two more insurance runs in the ninth, and the Rays got a homer from Gabe Gross in the bottom of the ninth but little more.

The unfortunate victim in this one was Shields, who was masterful going seven-and-a-third innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, walking four, and striking out six.

In the mid-afternoon finale, Tampa Bay rebounded to return to pounding the Royals into submission.

Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford each had two-run scoring singles, enabling Tampa Bay to take a 4-1 lead after two innings. Crawford added another RBI in the fourth while Willy Aybar launched two home runs.

Scott Kazmir had another solid outing for Tampa Bay, pitching six strong innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs, and only one free pass. He also struck out five en-route to his sixth win of the season.

Tampa Bay would win this one 10-4 to wrap up the series.

After taking three out of four from Kansas City, the Rays face Boston in a two-game mega-set. The Red Sox, winners of four in a row, have opened up a five-game lead on Tampa Bay and the Rays need to begin making up that ground if they have any aspirations for postseason play.