Royals Beat Up on Rays

Tonight’s final ugly score was 10-4 Royals.

The obvious question going in to tonight’s game was How will Wade Davis do after his DL stint? During the pre-game show. Joe Maddon said Davis was walking around with a “Cheshire Cat smile”, something he hadn’t seen from Wade in quite awhile.

Another question was, will the Rays ignore the fact that the Royals came in to the game with a 40-58 record. Would the Rays show a playoff intensity like they do with the leaders of the AL East?

The first inning was eventful for both teams. Ben Zobrist hit an RBI double, driving in Johnny Damon but that was all the Rays would get, despite loading the bases. The inning had looked promising, with both Evan Longoria and Casey Kotchman drawing walks. Unfortunately they had nothing to show for it after the first run scored. The momentum shifted, and not in the Rays’ favor.

The Royals countered against Wade Davis with back-to-back doubles by Alex Gordon and Melky Cabrera, tying the game. After a missed Fly ball by Sam Fuld and an RBI single, the Royals had a 3-1 lead, despite Davis striking out the side. It took him thirty pitches to get out of the first inning.

Luke Hochevar and Davis settled down in the second, But Billy Butler hit a solo shot in the bottom of the third. Miscues in the outfield in the bottom of the fifth allowed another run to score, putting Kansas City up by a slam.

The Rays began a rally against Luke Hochaver in the sixth when Kotchman drew a walk and Longoria hit it out. Matt Joyce followed with his own homer, putting the Rays to within a run. Unfortunately the Royals would answer, and loudly. They chased Davis after five and a third and then proceeded to feast upon the Rays bullpen, putting the game out of reach.

Davis allowed eleven hits, six runs, five earned. He walked none. Perhaps he is not one hundred percent with the arm yet, but after that first inning, he seemed to settle in. However his defense appeared almost lackadaisical behind him. The offense didn’t offer much help either. The entire team just lacked the intensity they have when they face their enemies in the AL East.

My offensive plays of the game were back-to-back home runs by Longoria and Joyce. They tried to spark the offense and begin a rally, and they gave us something to cheer about during this highly disappointing loss.

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