The Kansas City Royals have another rough day at the plate, managing only two runs on six hits as they were doubled 4-2 by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field Monday afternoon. Both Royal runs were scored on John Buck home runs.
The Devil Rays jumped out to a 3-0 lead with runs in the 2 nd , 3 rd , and 4 th innings before the Royals got on the board in the 5 th inning on a solo home run by Buck. Buck went two for four on the day, hitting a second solo shot later in the game. Kansas City starter Gil Meche (3-5) gave up two earned runs on four hits in six innings of work to take the loss. Rays’ starter James Shields (5-0) pitched 7 1/3 innings for the win. Al Reyes earned his 14 th save.
Things won’t get any easier for the Royals (21-37), who move onto Cleveland to open a series against the Indians. Jorge De La Rosa (4-5) goes to the mound for the Royals against the Tribe’s C.C. Sabathia (8-1).
