Massey hits 2-run HR, Ragans fans 9 as Royals snap 3-game losing streak, beat Blue Jays 4-1

TORONTO (AP) — Michael Massey hit a two-run home run, Cole Ragans struck out nine in a season-high 6 2/3 innings, and the Kansas City Royals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 on Tuesday night to snap a three-game losing streak.

Ragans was “electric” in improving to 2-0 in three career starts against Toronto, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

“He had the best stuff he’s had all year,” Quatraro said. “He was locating. Early in the game he got quick outs.”

Bobby Witt Jr. reached base three times and drove in a run as the Royals improved to 17-11 in April and 18-13 overall. It’s the most victories Kansas City has had in a month since going 17-9 in June 2017.

“We’re in a good spot but nobody goes to the playoffs in April,” Massey said. “We’ve got to keep going.”

Ragans (2-2) allowed one run and four hits. The left-hander left because of cramping in his left calf after walking consecutive batters.

“We’ve got to get some fluids in him and get rid of that,” Quatraro said. “It’s the deepest he’s gone, the most pitches he’s thrown. It’s just fatigue, probably.”

John Schreiber came on and retired Cavan Biggio to end the inning.

Schreiber got four outs and right-hander James McArthur finished for his seventh save in eight chances.

Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos (4-2) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings but lost to Ragans for the second straight outing. Ragans got the win as the Royals won a rain-shortened game in Kansas City last Thursday.

Berríos leads the majors with 43 2/3 innings and has six quality starts in seven outings.

“I’ve been feeling healthy, strong, mentally, really stronger and more mature,” Berríos said. “I want to keep building on top of this.”

Massey struck out to end Monday’s 6-5 loss, stranding the tying run at third base. On Tuesday, the second baseman homered on the second pitch he saw from Berríos in the second inning. It was Massey’s first homer.

“There’s probably going to be a lot more nights that I leave the tying run on third base than what I did tonight,” Massey said. “You just try to compete, try to battle and stay with your process.”

Toronto’s Bo Bichette hit a two-out RBI single in the sixth but Witt made it 3-1 with an RBI double off Erik Swanson in the eighth. Génesis Cabrera replaced Swanson and gave up an RBI double to Vinnie Pasquantino.

Salvador Perez started at first base for Kansas City one night after being scratched from a start behind the plate because of a sore back. Perez had a pinch hit single in the ninth inning of Monday’s 6-5 loss and was replaced by a pinch runner.

With a leadoff single in the second inning Tuesday, Perez extended his career-best streak of reaching base safely to 20 games.

Toronto’s Davis Schneider hit a one-out single in the second but Royals right fielder Hunter Renfroe threw Schneider out at second base as he tried to extend his hit. Renfroe leads the major leagues with 67 outfield assists since 2017.

George Springer started in center field for the Blue Jays. He didn’t make a single start in center in 2023.

ROSTER MOVES

Royals: Kansas City recalled RHP Colin Selby from Triple-A Omaha and optioned RHP Jonathan Bowlan to Triple-A.

Blue Jays: Toronto put RHP Yariel Rodríguez (back) on the 15-day IL and recalled RHP Zach Pop from Triple-A Buffalo. Rodríguez started Monday, allowing three runs and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. … RHP Alek Manoah (shoulder) allowed one run and two hits in six innings in a rehab start at Triple-A. Manoah struck out 12 and walked two.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays RHP Chris Bassitt (2-4, 5.64) is expected to start Wednesday’s series finale. Kansas City’s scheduled starter is RHP Seth Lugo (4-1, 1.66).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) hits an RBI double against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) tags out Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) at second base on the steal attempt during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez smiles after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) celebrates with teammate Maikel Garcia (11) after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kansas City Royals' Maikel Garcia (11) steals second base past Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans (55) works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez blows a bubble with his gum while playing against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez smiles after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) forces out Kansas City Royals' Freddy Fermin (34) at second base and throws to first to complete the double play during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa (7) forces out Kansas City Royals' Freddy Fermin (34) at second base and throws to first to complete the double play during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios (17) works against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kansas City Royals pitcher Cole Ragans (55) works against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Kansas City Royals' Michael Massey (19) celebrates with teammates Salvador Perez (13) and Freddy Fermin (34) after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Toronto.(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli officials seized a camera and broadcasting equipment belonging to The Associated Press in southern Israel on Tuesday, accusing the news organization of violating a new media law by providing images to Al Jazeera.

The Qatari satellite channel is among thousands of clients that receive live video feeds from the AP and other news organizations. The AP denounced the move.

“The Associated Press decries in the strongest terms the actions of the Israeli government to shut down our longstanding live feed showing a view into Gaza and seize AP equipment,” said Lauren Easton, vice president of corporate communications at the news organization. “The shutdown was not based on the content of the feed but rather an abusive use by the Israeli government of the country’s new foreign broadcaster law. We urge the Israeli authorities to return our equipment and enable us to reinstate our live feed immediately so we can continue to provide this important visual journalism to thousands of media outlets around the world.”

Officials from the Communications Ministry arrived at the AP location in the southern town of Sderot on Tuesday afternoon and seized the equipment. They handed the AP a piece of paper, signed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, alleging it was violating the country’s foreign broadcaster law.

Shortly before the equipment was seized, it was broadcasting a general view of northern Gaza. The AP complies with Israel’s military censorship rules, which prohibit broadcasts of details like troops movements that could endanger soldiers. The live shot has generally shown smoke rising over the territory.

The seizure followed a verbal order Thursday to cease the live transmission — which the news organization refused to do.

“In accordance with the government decision and the instruction of the communications minister, the communications ministry will continue to take whatever enforcement action is required to limit broadcasts that harm the security of the state,” the ministry said in a statement.

Israeli officials used the law to close down the offices of the Qatar-based broadcaster on May 5 as well as confiscating the channel’s equipment, banning its broadcasts, and blocking its websites.

Israel has long had a rocky relationship with Al Jazeera, accusing it of bias against the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called it a “terror channel” that spreads incitement.

Al Jazeera is one of the few international news outlets that has remained in Gaza throughout the war, broadcasting scenes of airstrikes and overcrowded hospitals and accusing Israel of massacres.

The war in Gaza began with a Hamas attack in Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. More than 35,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

In this image from video, Israeli officials seize AP video equipment from an apartment block in Sderot, Southern Israel, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Israeli officials seized the camera and broadcasting equipment belonging to The Associated Press in southern Israel on Tuesday, accusing the news organization of violating the country's new ban on Al Jazeera. Shortly before the equipment was seized, it was broadcasting a general view of northern Gaza. (AP Photo/Josphat Kasire)

AP video equipment is laid on the floor of an apartment block in Sderot, Southern Israel, shortly before it was seized by Israeli officials, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Israeli officials seized the camera and broadcasting equipment belonging to The Associated Press in southern Israel on Tuesday, accusing the news organization of violating the country's new ban on Al Jazeera. Shortly before the equipment was seized, it was broadcasting a general view of northern Gaza. (AP Photo/Josphat Kasire)

A screenshot taken from AP video showing a general view of northern Gaza as seen from Southern Israel, before it was seized by Israeli officials on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Israeli officials seized a camera and broadcasting equipment belonging to The Associated Press in southern Israel on Tuesday, accusing the news organization of violating the country’s new ban on Al Jazeera. Shortly before the equipment was seized, it was broadcasting a general view of northern Gaza. (AP Photo)