By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Royals were unable to score a run for a second straight game, getting shutout by the Tampa Bay Rays 4-0 as their losing streak moved to five games, and their losing streak at Kauffman Stadium moved to 10 games on Thursday afternoon.
The Royals and Rays battled back and forth through the first three innings, staying scoreless, before Tampa Bay broke through in the fourth inning. With two outs Jonathan Aranda doubled, and scored in the very next at bat on a triple by Jake Magnum. Magnum came home on a single by Josh Lowe to give the Rays a 2-0 lead.
Tampa Bay eventually extended their lead in the sixth inning with back to back home runs. Brandon Lowe led off the inning with a home run to center field, his 16th of the season, and was followed by Junior Caminero hitting his 20th of the season to left field, for the only runs the Rays needed.
The Royals managed just five hits in the game, at one point having 18 straight batters retired by Rays starter Shane Baz. Baz did also walk one in the game, walking Freddy Fermin in the eighth inning.
Michael Lorenzen took the loss, falling to 4-8 on the season, pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up all four runs on eight hits, striking out four. At the plate, Jonathan India and Vinnie Pasquantino were both 2-for-4. Maikel Garcia had the only other Royals hit.
Kansas City stays at home next and welcomes in the Los Angeles Dodgers. Noah Cameron (2-3. 2.08 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Dustin May (4-5, 4.46 ERA) for the Dodgers. First pitch is at 7:10pm, pregame at 6:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.