Royals nearly no-hit, then win

John Buck broke up Tampa Bay’s James Shield’s no-hit bid in the eighth inning, then went on to beat the Rays for the first time this season 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.  Brian Bannister picked up his seventh win.

After the Rays rallied for three straight wins in Kansas City by scoring in the eighth inning, the Royals returned the favor on Sunday.  Buck singled off Shields on a bloop hit to right field.  After a throwing error by Dioner Navarro, the Royals had runners on first and third.  Pinch runner Ryan Freel scored on Mitch Maier’s single.  (He would also drive in two more runs in the ninth).  Alex Gordon would later score in the eighth when he stole home after Maier was caught in a run down for a 2-0 lead.

I need to give some credit to manager Trey Hillman for going to Joakim Soria in the eighth to pick up to the two inning save and not relying on someone to hold the lead.  Soria’s only blemish was a solo home run to Ben Zobrist with one out in the ninth.