ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Griffin Jax pitched five strong innings, Yandy Díaz tied Tampa Bay's franchise record for career RBIs and the Rays defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Wednesday night.
Jax (3-5) struck out seven while allowing two unearned runs and five hits. It was his fourth start in a row with at least five innings pitched and less than two earned runs allowed. Bryan Baker gave up a run in the ninth, but closed it out for his 20th save.
Click to Gallery
Tampa Bay Rays Yandy Díaz scores before the tag from Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Kansas City Royals pitcher Noah Cameron throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Rays' Jonny DeLuca hits an RBI double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Rays Junior Caminero celebrates after scoring on an RBI single by Jonathan Aranda, not pictured, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Díaz hammered a line drive to left field in the fourth inning to tie B.J. Upton's franchise mark of 447 RBIs and give Tampa Bay a 4-0 lead. Jonny DeLuca followed with an RBI double.
Nick Fortes and Díaz opened the scoring in the third when they both scored after Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone fielded Ryan Vilade's grounder and stepped on the bag for the out — but then his throw home went wide of catcher Salvador Perez. Jonathan Aranda added a one-run single to put the Rays up 3-0.
Noah Cameron (4-5) gave up all five runs on eight hits in five innings for the Royals.
Kansas City scored two runs in the top of the fifth when Carter Jensen and Caglianone scored on consecutive errors by shortstop Taylor Walls and left fielder Chandler Simpson. Josh Rojas added his first homer of the season in the ninth to pull within 5-3.
Jensen extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single on the first pitch of the game.
Royals RHP Seth Lugo (3-4, 3.69 ERA) faces Rays LHP Ian Seymour (3-1, 4.98 ERA) in the series finale Thursday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Tampa Bay Rays Yandy Díaz scores before the tag from Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Kansas City Royals pitcher Noah Cameron throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Rays' Jonny DeLuca hits an RBI double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Rays Junior Caminero celebrates after scoring on an RBI single by Jonathan Aranda, not pictured, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Day 14 of the World Cup wrapped up the preliminary stage for Groups A, B and C.
Switzerland beat Canada, one of the tournament's three hosts, on Wednesday to win Group B. Canada finished second in the group, while Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Qatar to maintain its chances of advancing.
Brazil beat Scotland to win Group C, while Morocco also advanced out of the group with a win over Haiti.
Mexico had already wrapped up first place in Group A before facing the Czech Republic on Wednesday night. In the other late match, South Korea met South Africa.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A Mexico fan wears a scary colourful makeup on the tribune ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko )
Fans react ahead of the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and Mexico in Mexico City, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Soccer fans celebrate Brazil's third goal against Scotland during a fan fest on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)
Scotland's Ryan Christie (11) reacts after a missed shot at goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Brazil's Matheus Cunha (9) shoots and scores their third goal against Scotland's Jack Hendry (13) during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Brazil's Neymar (10) gestures as he leaves the field following the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Morocco's Gessime Yassine, left, celebrates Soufiane Rahimi (9) and Bilal El Khannouss (23) after scoring their fourth goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Morocco and Haiti in Atlanta, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi, right, falls as he competes against Haiti's Martin Experience (8) during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Morocco and Haiti in Atlanta, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi (2) gets past Haiti's Ruben Providence (15) to control the ball during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Morocco and Haiti in Atlanta, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi (9) celebrates after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Morocco and Haiti in Atlanta, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Brazil's Neymar (10) reacts as he takes the field during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Brazil's Vinicius Junior (7) scores his team's second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Brazil's Matheus Cunha (9) celebrates with Lucas Paqueta (20) after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Brazil's Matheus Cunha (9) scores a goal on Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn (1) during the World Cup Group C soccer match in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Brazil's Vinicius Junior (7) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Scotland and Brazil in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Switzerland's Remo Freuler (8) plays the ball in front of Canada's Stephen Eustaquio (7) during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Switzerland's Ruben Vargas (17) celebrates his goal against Canada during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Switzerland's Johan Manzambi (9) celebrates after scoring as Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau reacts during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Switzerland's Ruben Vargas (17) scores a goal past Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (16) during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Kaleb Tatum)
Switzerland's Johan Manzambi (9) cries out as he collides with Canada's Richie Laryea (22) during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Sydney Shankman)
Switzerland's Luca Jaquez (25) is upended by Canada's Richie Laryea (22) during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel stops a ball while having his jersey pulled by Canada's Cyle Larin (9) during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Switzerland's Breel Embolo, left, and Canada's Alistair Johnston battle for a head ball during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP)
Canada's Promise David (24) scores their first goal past Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (1) during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada's Promise David (24) celebrates after scoring during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Mathieu Choiniere (6) lunges toward the ball during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Promise David (24) takes a shot on goal as Switzerland's Granit Xhaka (10) defends during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Bosnia's Kerim Alajbegovic, right, is embraced by Sead Kolasinac after scoring their opening goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match against Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Bosnia's Esmir Bajraktarevic, right, celebrates after Qatar's Sultan Albrake scored an own goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Bosnia's Ermin Mahmic (26) scores his side's third goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Bosnia and Qatar in Seattle Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Qatar's Pedro Miguel, left, and Bosnia's Sead Kolasinac jump to head the ball during the World Cup Group B soccer match in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Qatar's Edmilson Junior (8), right, and Bosnia's Nikola Katic (18) jump for the ball during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Bosnia and Qatar in Seattle Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Bosnia's Ermin Mahmic, right, jumps as he celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match against Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Switzerland's Johan Manzambi (9) heads the ball during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Canada's Ali Ahmed (20) and Switzerland's Remo Freuler (8) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
National flags are displayed before the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (Timothy Matwey/The Canadian Press via AP)
Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj (1) is beaten by a shot from Qatar's Hassan Alhaydos (10) for a goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Bosnia and Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Bosnia fans cheer during the singing of the national anthem ahead of World Cup Group B soccer match against Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Qatar's Sultan Albrake, right, reacts after fouling against Bosnia's Nidal Celik, left, during the World Cup Group B soccer match in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Bosnian fans wait for the start of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Bosnia and Qatar in Seattle Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Bosnia's Kerim Alajbegovic (19) scores during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Bosnia and Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
Bosnian and Qatari flags are seen on the ptich before the World Cup Group B soccer match between Bosnia and Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
Bosnia's Kerim Alajbegovic celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match against Qatar in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
