The Kansas City Royals take the rubber game of their weekend series with Tampa Bay, downing the Devil Rays 12-4 Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.
Four Kansas City players had multiple hit games: Tony Pena went 3 for 5 with 4 runs batted in; Mark Grudzielanek went 3 for 5 with an RBI; Emil Brown had 2 hits in 4 at bats with a pair of RBIs; and David DeJesus had 2 hits, driving in a run. Alex Gordon and Ross Gload each drove in a couple of runs, as well.
Royals’ starter Jorge De La Rosa (7-9) pitched 5 2/3 innings for the win, giving up 2 earned runs on 5 hits while striking out 7. Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir (5-6) gave up 5 runs, 4 of the earned, in 5 innings of work to take the loss.
With the exception of pitcher Gil Meche, who is taking part in Tuesday’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Francisco, the Royals (38-50) enjoy some time off for the All-Star break. They get back into action Friday night when the open a weekend series against the Indians in Cleveland.