Michael Wacha’s impressive performance helps the Royals defeat the Rays.
On July 4, Michael Wacha delivered a solid performance, pitching six innings to help the Kansas City Royals secure a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite Isaac Paredes hitting a solo home run to put the Rays ahead in the first inning, Wacha (5-6) allowed only one more hit and no additional runs. He walked three batters and struck out eight, marking his first win since May 20. This game also marked the 43rd quality start for a Royals pitcher, which is the third highest in the majors.
Wacha has now given up two runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts, boasting a 2.21 ERA with 38 strikeouts over 40 2/3 innings. The Royals took a 2-1 lead in the third inning thanks to Bobby Witt Jr.’s RBI double and Vinnie Pasquantino’s subsequent single. Pasquantino has driven in runs in eight of his last nine games at home, leading the majors with 43 RBIs at home. Both Witt and Pasquantino had two hits each.
Kansas City worked Ryan Pepiot hard, forcing him to throw 87 pitches in four innings. Pepiot (4-5) walked three batters, did not record a strikeout, and allowed two runs on four hits. He has struggled in his last five starts, with a 0-3 record and a 5.40 ERA.
In the seventh inning, Rays reliever Shawn Armstrong walked two batters, setting up Salvador Perez’s two-run single that extended the Royals’ lead to 4-1. Although Royals reliever Chris Stratton struggled in the eighth, giving up back-to-back doubles to Randy Arozarena and Amed Rosario, cutting the lead to 4-2, Kyle Isbel’s leaping catch against the center field wall in the ninth helped preserve the lead. James McArthur closed out the game, earning his 15th save and extending his scoreless streak to eight appearances.
The Royals have won six of their last nine games during the homestand, which wraps up on Thursday evening. Paredes has reached base in 14 consecutive games, recording seven extra-base hits and eight RBIs in that period. Rosario contributed two of the Rays’ five hits.
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