Kansas City Royals vs Tampa Bay Rays (Game 1)

Kansas City finished the series against the Guardians on a high note by stealing the final game and beating Cleveland 3-1. The Royals were able to close the gap to seven games behind the Guardians and just one game behind the Twins. June was not the best month for the Royals, who went 12-15 for the entire month despite winning three of four games against Cleveland. Kansas City is still in the running for a wild card spot or the division crown, but they must maintain their positive momentum to avoid another disappointing month.

Brady Singer will play for Kansas City tonight. He will look to improve his current 4-4 record to over .500 this season. Singer’s last performance was phenomenal, holding the Miami Marlins to just one run through 7.1 innings. The last time Singer played against the Rays, he went five innings and allowed just a single run in a Royals win. He will need to keep the Royals competitive from the start and avoid falling back into the first-inning troubles that have plagued the team in the past. The Royals hope to get Singer some run support early to give him a buffer to replicate his recent performances.

11:58 p.m. – Things were looking bad for KC, and now things are looking even worse. Brandon Lowe carries the ball 433 feet and hits a no-doubt home run to extend the lead. 5-1 rays

11:55 p.m. – The Royals offense is stagnant. They just got swapped out with a three-on-three strategy and have little to nothing to show for it in this game. They’re going to need more magic in the ninth inning if they want to have a chance. 4-1 Rays

11:49 p.m. – Carlos Hernandez allowed just one run for the Royals. He has been consistent for the team in general, but he had a few problems tonight. Hernandez had the bases loaded and just one out. He managed to walk and strike out two consecutive batters to keep the Rays scoreless and give the Royals a chance. 4-1 Rays

11:24 p.m. – Chris Stratton had some trouble with his control in this inning, walking two batters who would eventually score. With runners on the corners, Paredes hit a pitch down the third base line to advance two runners. Alexander had a chance at the ball but couldn’t make the play. The ball rolled all the way down the third base line before catching a croucher and giving Brandon Lowe a chance to get past. The Rays are now three runs up with two outs 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. hits the ball into left field for a solo home run. Kansas City still has some fighting spirit and is only one point away. It’s still raining heavily at Kauffman Stadium, so the Royals hope to avoid delays. If the game is called off, the Rays will be declared the winner. 2-1 rays

23:06 – John Schrieber was having a good inning until things weren’t going so well. He allowed a single but had collected two outs and looked like he was gaining momentum. Then Richie Palacios hit a ball down the first base line, right under the legs of Pasquantino. It rolled to the corner, allowing Josh Lowe to come all the way around from first base and score. After the delay, the Rays came out ready to play and extended their lead. 2:0 rays

23 o’clock – Play resumed with John Schreiber replacing Brady Singer for the Royals. Singer’s only run allowed was a wild pitch. He finished the game with five innings and 88 pitches. 1:0 rays

10:33 p.m. – The game is expected to resume at 23:00.

20:29 – The game is currently delayed due to rain.

20:27 – With back-to-back singles, the Royals put together their best attack of the night with runners on the corners. CJ Alexander got his first career hit with a single to right, giving Kyle Isbel a chance to tie the game. Littell didn’t let it bother him, though, and struck out Kyle Isbel to end the inning. The Royals now have their first dangerous position of the game, they just need to build on it by starting at the top of the order in the next inning. 1:0 rays

20:20 – These starting pitchers leave the offense without answers tonight and play the innings without much danger. Singer will likely be the first pitcher out unless Kansas City puts together a strong offensive inning. It will be important for the Royals bullpen to perform well as the Royals offense has stagnated. 1:0 rays

20:06 – This looks a lot like Brady Singer’s last performance against the Rays. The problem is that he already has almost twice as many pitches as Littell, and given the Royals’ weak bullpen, you have to worry that the starter won’t get enough innings to keep the Royals in check. 1:0 rays

19:56 – Zack Littell has been very good in this game, shutting out the Royals three straight innings so far. Despite not being able to score, the Royals have made some very solid contact and even drove the ball to the warning track a few times tonight. If they can continue to make hard contact, the runs will come. 1:0 rays

19:50 – A much better inning this time for Singer, who quickly retired three Rays batters in a row. Royals starters often have a tendency to allow an early run before settling in and playing well. Garcia made a nice play to left second base, his versatility could be a great asset for Kansas City in the second half of the season. 1:0 rays

19:45 – Zack Littell is playing a very good game so far, taking out all three runners that came to the plate in this inning in a somewhat unconventional way. Littell got by the first two batters with ease, but MJ Melendez smacked a double to keep the inning alive. Littell immediately attempted a pickoff, but was unsuccessful, or so the umpire said. After a challenge, it was clear that Melendez could not touch the base because the fielder’s foot was covering the base. Unfortunately for the Royals, obstruction cannot be reviewed, so the play was called back and Kansas City was denied a RISP opportunity. 1:0 rays

19:30 o’clock – Brady Singer faced his first tough situation of the game in this inning, fending off runners on second and third base with just one out. Bobby Witt Jr. made an incredible play, swinging left and throwing back to right to score Randy Arozarena and get the first out. After a missed barehander by CJ Alexander and a double by Jose Sir, Singer found himself in danger. He fought back and struck out Ben Rortvedt before a wild pitch allowed Richie Pallacios to homer. He walked Taylor Walls on 10 pitches before finally getting the last out. Kansas City will once again try to overcome an early deficit. 1:0 rays

19:22 – Maikel Garcia got an inning-opening single from Zack Littell to right field. The Royals couldn’t score, but it was very telling that Littel was aware of the runner. Look for Littel to worry about early runners, potentially leading to errors from hitters. Vinnie Pasquantino had a 401-foot flyout, the ball would have left 8/30 MLB stadiums. 0:0

19:15 – Brady Singer has a back-and-forth first inning, but strikes out the Rays before they can get a runner to second base. He allowed a single before making a double play, as well as a walk before striking out Josh Lowe and ending the inning. The Royals’ pitchers get in trouble early, so it’s important for Kansas City to have Singer work around those two runners. 0:0

Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.

When: The 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)

T: 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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