St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - John Buck hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the 10th inning as Kansas City rallied for a 7-4 win over Tampa Bay, in the finale of a four-game set from Tropicana Field.
After their slim lead slipped away in the home half of the ninth, a determined Royals club went back on top in the 10th.
Facing Dan Wheeler (2-4), Billy Butler reached on Evan Longoria's throwing error, stopping at second. Mark Teahen's groundout moved him to third, then Ross Gload was intentionally walked.
Buck, on his 23rd birthday, stepped in and unloaded a three-run homer to left which gave Kansas City a 6-3 edge, and Mike Aviles followed with a solo blast to put KC up by four.
"I hit it good and the way it was hooking made me a little nervous," Buck admitted. Luckily I stayed through it just enough."
Joakim Soria (1-1) allowed a homer to Eric Hinske in the Rays' turn at the plate, but recovered to strike out Ben Zobrist and induce Akinori Iwamura into a game-ending groundout.
David DeJesus collected three hits and drove in two runs for the Royals, who won for the second time in their last seven. Aviles finished with three hits, while Gload added an RBI and scored twice.
Longoria had a pair of hits and knocked in a run while Carlos Pena launched a game-tying homer in the ninth for the Rays, whose seven-game win streak was halted.
"We're getting to the point where we win six of seven on a homestand and we have a bad taste in our mouth," said Rays manager Joe Maddon about the run of success his club has enjoyed.
Tampa didn't waste time against Royals starter Gil Meche, scoring two runs in the first inning. Iwamura walked, then Carl Crawford singled. Two batters later Crawford broke for second but Buck's throw was wild, allowing Iwamura to score easily. Longoria followed by dumping a single to left which plated Crawford.
KC countered in the second on DeJesus' two-run triple, then went ahead in the third on a strange play. Teahen reached on a bunt single, then managed to score on Gload's base hit to center as Crawford, playing deep, was slow to collect the ball.
The visitors cruised from that point, until Soria allowed a game-tying solo homer from Pena with one out in the ninth.
Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Jose Lopez had a pair of solo homers while Adrian Beltre went 2-for-3 with a two-run blast to extend his hitt... Full Story...
What Is The Score | WhatistheScore.com
Design by SEOSolutions.co.cr
All Rights Reserved ©2006-2007
WITS - WhatIsTheScore.com is a Sports Content Website offering Real Time Sports Information such as Live Score, Free Live Odds, Sports News, Sports Events, Stats, Standings, Sports Articles and more in all Major Sports around the World – WhatIsTheScore.com
WebDesign & SEO marketing by
(fm) freaky-media! technology