KANSAS CITY -- After the Royals' scoreless streak reached an historic level Monday night, first baseman Eric Hosmer lamented that the only streak that mattered was the team's five-game losing skid.
On Tuesday night, Whit Merrifield first took care of the scoreless streak with a home run, and later, Hosmer helped take care of the losing streak with a three-run homer, as the Royals got a much-needed 6-2 win over the Rays at Kauffman Stadium.
Kansas City moved a half-game ahead of Tampa Bay in the American League Wild Card standings. The Royals are 2 1/2 games back of the Twins, who hold the second spot, while the Rays are three behind, pending the result of Tuesday's White Sox-Twins game.