ST. PETERSBURG -- Right-hander Jorge Lopez, making his second start for the Royals, was without question much sharper than when he gave up six runs in his Royals debut.
This time, Lopez worked through some traffic on the bases but provided five serviceable innings in the Royals' 1-0 loss to the Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday night.
Lopez was nicked for five hits, mostly of the soft-contact variety -- they included a bunt single and two infield hits. Lopez walked three and struck out three.