Josh Fleming pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, Kevin Kiermaier led a strong effort from the bottom of Tampa Bay's batting order and the Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 Monday night.
Fleming struck out three in 5 1/3 innings, getting big cheers from friends and family who journeyed over from his hometown of Bridgeton, Missouri. The 24-year-old left-hander has allowed just one run in 10 1/3 innings this year.
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Josh Fleming pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, Kevin Kiermaier led a strong effort from the bottom of Tampa Bay's batting order and the Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-1 Monday night.
Danny Duffy (2-1) struck out eight in six innings and allowed two runs — neither earned — and four hits with two walks.
Kiermaier added an RBI single in the ninth.
Duffy notched his 1,000th career strikeout in the fourth inning and passed Tom Gordon for sixth in club history. The longtime Royal has spent 11 seasons in the majors, all in Kansas City, one of three pitchers to do so.
Royals: SS Adalberto Mondesi (strained right oblique) remains on the 10-day injury list. The 25-year-old has yet to suit up for the Royals this season.
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Relievers Ryan Thompson and Hunter Strickland carried the baton out of the bullpen and held Kansas City to two hits, both in the eighth. Chris Mazza shut the door in the ninth.
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Monday, April 19, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
Danny Duffy (2-1) struck out eight in six innings and allowed two runs — neither earned — and four hits with two walks.
Kiermaier had two hits and two RBIs from the nine-hole and combined with seven-hitter Joey Wendle and eight-hitter Willy Adames for five of Tampa Bay's seven hits.
Duffy held to Rays to only one baserunner until the fifth , when Wendle singled with two outs. Wendle scored from first on an error by first baseman Carlos Santana on a high infield popup, which highlighted a two-run inning.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Thompson throws during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, April 19, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
Kiermaier added an RBI single in the ninth.
Kansas City threatened in the eighth with two on and one out with Whit Merrifield at the plate, but he struck out to end the rally. Jorge Soler drove in the Royals' run in the ninth with a sacrifice fly.
DUFFMAN DOMINANCE
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy is congratulated by Jorge Soler in the dugout after Duffy got his 1,000 career strikeout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Monday, April 19, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
Duffy notched his 1,000th career strikeout in the fourth inning and passed Tom Gordon for sixth in club history. The longtime Royal has spent 11 seasons in the majors, all in Kansas City, one of three pitchers to do so.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: RHP Chris Archer (right lateral forearm tightness) is eligible to return off the 10-day injured list on April 21st but did not make the trip to Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez, left, throws to first for a double play hit into by Tampa Bay Rays' Francisco Mejia after forcing out Randy Arozarena, right, out at home during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
Royals: SS Adalberto Mondesi (strained right oblique) remains on the 10-day injury list. The 25-year-old has yet to suit up for the Royals this season.
UP NEXT
Rich Hill (1-0, 7.53) will pitch for Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Hill will be the sixth consecutive southpaw starter that the Royals will face — the longest stretch in franchise history. Right-hander Brad Keller (1-1, 9.58) will make his fourth start of the season for Kansas City.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Carlos Santana catches a fly foul ball for an out against Tampa Bay Rays' Yandy Diaz during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, April 19, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)
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Tampa Bay Rays' Willy Adames, right, and Yandy Diaz (2) celebrate after Adames scored on a single by Kevin Kiermaier during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Monday, April 19, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP PhotoCharlie Riedel)