Live Updates: Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Game One)
Kansas City finished up their series against the Guardians on a high note, stealing the last game to take a 3-1 win over Cleveland in the series. The Royals have managed to pull themselves back to just seven games behind the Guardians and only a single game behind the Twins. The Royals did not have the best month of June, going 12-15 throughout the month, despite winning three of four against Cleveland. Kansas City is very much still in the race for either a wildcard spot or a division crown, but they must continue with their positive momentum to avoid another dissapointing month.
Brady Singer will get the nod for Kansas City tonight. He will be looking to improve his record above .500 tonight, currently sitting at 4-4 on the season. Singer's last performance was phenomenal, holding the Miami Marlins to just one run through 7.1 innings. Last time Singer faced the Rays he went five innings, only allowing a single run in a Royals win. He will have to keep the Royals competitive early and avoid falling back into the first inning struggles that have plagued the team in the past. The Royals will hope to get Singer some run support early, giving him a cushion to repeat recent performances.
How It Happened:
12:10 a.m. - The Royals just didn't have enough on either side of the ball tonight. The Rays played better than Kansas City in every aspect and it showed on the scorecard. 5-1 Rays
11:58 p.m. - Things were looking bad for KC, now they look even worse. Brandon Lowe takes the ball 433 feet for a no-doubt home run to extend the lead. 5-1 Rays
11:55 p.m. - The Royals offense has been stagnan. They were just retired in a three-up, three-down manner, and have little to nothing to show for this game. They will need some more ninth inning magic if they want a chance. 4-1 Rays
11:49 p.m. - Carlos Hernandez has only allowed a single run with the Royals. He has been generally consistent for the team, but found himself in some trouble tonight. Hernandez faced bases loaded with just a single out. He managed to pop out and strike out back-to-back batters to hold the Rays scoreless and give the Royals a chance. 4-1 Rays
11:24 p.m. - Chris Stratton has faced some issues with his command this inning, walking two batters who would eventually score. With runners on the corners, Paredes slapped a pitch down the third base line to bring around two runners. Alexander had a chance at the ball but could not make the play. The ball would roll all the way down the third base line before getting tangled with a stool and allowing Brandon Lowe to come around. The Rays now have three two-out runs after the rain delay. 4-1 Rays
11:12 p.m. - Special players make special plays, and after two hours of waiting Bobby Witt Jr smokes a ball to left field for a solo home run. Kansas City has some fight left in them and are within one. It is still raining hard at Kauffman stadium so the Royals will hope to avoid any delays. If the game is called off the Rays will be determined the winner. 2-1 Rays
11:06 p.m. - John Schrieber was having a good inning until he wasn't. He allowed a single but had gathered two outs and was looking like he was gaining some momentum. Then Richie Palacios shot a ball down the first base line, right under the legs of Pasquantino. It rolled all the way to the corner allowing Josh Lowe to come all the way around from first and score. After the delay the Rays come out ready to play and bringincrease their lead. 2-0 Rays
11 p.m. - Play has resumed with John Schreiber replacing Brady Singer for the Royals. Singer's only run allowed was on a wild pitch. He finishes with five innings pitches and 88 pitches. 1-0 Rays
10:33 p.m. - The game is expected to resume at 11:00 p.m.
8:29 p.m. - The game is now in rain delay.
8:27 p.m. - Back-to-back singles have the Royals their best attack of the night with runners on the corners. CJ Alexander picked up his first career hit with a single to right, bringing Kyle Isbel up with the chance to tie the game. Littell was not phased though, striking out Kyle Isbel to end the inning. The Royals have now had their first dangerous position of the game, they just need to build on it with the top of the order starting next inning. 1-0 Rays
8:20 p.m. - These starting pitchers are leaving the offenses with a lack of answers tonight, cruising through innings with little to no danger. Singer looks to be the first pitcher to exit barring a big offensive inning from Kansas City. It will be important for the Royals bullpen to have a good performance with the Royals stagnant offense. 1-0 Rays
8:06 p.m. - This is shaping up to look very similar to Brady Singer's last performance against the Rays. The issue is that he has almost double the amount of pitches that Littell does already, and with the Royals struggling bullpen you have to worry that the starter can't eat enough innings to keep the Royals close. 1-0 Rays
7:56 p.m. - Zack Littell has been very good this game, shutting the Royals down for three straight innings so far. Despite not scoring, the Royals have made some very solid contact and even driven the ball to the warning track a couple times tonight. If they can continue to get hard contact, the runs will fall in line. 1-0 Rays
7:50 p.m. - A much better inning for Singer this time around, making quick work of three straight Rays batters. Royals starters face a common trend of giving up an early run before locking down and playing well. Garcia made a nice play ranging to his left at second base, his versatility could be a real tool for Kansas City going into the second half of the season. 1-0 Rays
7:45 p.m. - Zack Littell is having a very good game so far, putting out all three runners that came to the plate that inning, a little unconventiaonally. Littell breezed through the first two batters, but MJ Melendez would earn himself a double to keep the inning alive. Littell would immediately attempt a pickoff and be unsuccessful, or so the umpire said. After a challenge it was clear that Melendez was unable to touch the bag due to the fielders foot covering the base. Unfortunately for the Royals, obstruction is not reviewable so the play was overturned and a RISP oppurtunity was taken away from Kansas City. 1-0 Rays
7:30 p.m. - Brady Singer faced his first tough situation of the game this inning, battling off runners on second and third with just one out. Bobby Witt Jr made an incredible play ranging to his left and throwing back to his right to snipe Randy Arozarena to pick up that first out. After a missed barehander from CJ Alexander and a double by Jose Sir, Singer found himself in some danger. He would battle back, striking out Ben Rortvedt beofore a wild pitch allowed Richie Pallacios to come home. He would walk Taylor Walls with 10 pitches before finally picking up the last out. Kansas City will again be looking to overcome an early deficit. 1-0 Rays
7:22 p.m. - Maikel Garcia picked up an inning opening single to right field off of Zack Littell. The Royals wouldn't score but something that was very telling is that Littel was aware of the runner. Look for Littel to be worried about early runners, potentially leading to mistakes to batters. Vinnie Pasquantino had a 401 foot flyout, the ball would have left 8/30 MLB ballparks. 0-0
7:15 p.m. - Brady Singer has a back and forth first inning but puts down the Rays before they can move a runner to second. He allowed a single before turning a double play, as well as a walk before striking out Josh Lowe to end the inning. Royals pitching has been prone to getting in trouble early so Singer working around those two runners is big for Kansas City. 0-0
How to watch:
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
When: First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT.
TV: You can watch the game on Bally Sports KC or MLB.TV (blackouts may apply depending on location).
Starting Pitchers
KC - Brady Singer (4-4, 3.12 ERA)
CLE - Zack Littell (2-7, 4.17 ERA)
Batting Order/Lineup
KC: 1. Maikel Garcia (2B) 2. Bobby Witt Jr. (SS) 3. Vinnie Pasquantino (1B) 4. Salvador Perez (C) 5. Michael Massey (DH) 6. Hunter Renfroe (RF) 7. MJ Melendez (LF) 8. CJ Alexander (3B) 9. Kyle Isbel (CF)
TB: 1. Yandy Diaz (1B) 2. Brandon Lowe (DH) 3. Isaac Paredes (3B) 4. Josh Lowe (RF) 5. Randy Arozarena (LF) 6. Richie Palacios (2B) 7. Jose Siri (CF) 8. Ben Rortvedt (C) 9. Taylor Walls (SS)
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Austin is a sports journalist from Kansas City, Mo. He is a freshman at The University of Missouri-Columbia, pursuing a degree in sports journalism.