Royals Review · Aug 20, 2022
Late inning defense, small ball secures 3-2 win over Rays
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesGreat defense and small ball in the tenth inning helped the Royals secure a 3-2 win against the Rays on Friday night. Nicky Lopez led off the extra frame by bunting the tenth-inning runner to third base, and Michael Massey plated him with a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the frame, Salvador Perez gunned down Roman Quinn trying to steal third, and MJ Melendez made a diving catch to help Scott Barlow hold onto the win.
The Royals built up a 2-0 lead in the third inning against All-Star left-hander Shane McClanahan when Bobby Witt Jr. blasted his 16th home run of the year following an MJ Melendez walk.
Witt Jr. BLASTS one to center field.