KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Even manager Tony Pena had to agree -- this was a big win.
Brent Mayne hit an RBI single and an error let another run score on the play as the Kansas City Royals rallied in the seventh inning to beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 10-8 Saturday night.
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| Brett Mayne hits a tying single in the seventh inning.(AP) |
"After you lose four games, and play the way we have been playing, this game is one of the most important games of the season. There's no question about that," Pena said. "You can feel the intensity in the ballpark, from $5.50-an-hour employee to the guys on the field."
The Devil Rays led 8-7 after a six-run seventh keyed by Julio Lugo's two-run double.
But Michael Tucker and Angel Berroa singled to start the bottom half and Desi Relaford sacrificed. Mayne followed with a tying single and center fielder Rocco Baldelli's bobble let Berroa score the go-ahead run.
Berroa added an RBI single in the eighth.
"Sometimes you can't help but think negative," Pena said. "We gave up the lead, but we had a chance to get the game back. Everybody played hard."
Carlos Beltran hit his team-leading 16th homer and drove in two runs for the Royals.
Curtis Leskanic (1-0) got the win despite giving up three runs, only one of them earned, while getting two outs. He had not allowed a run in his last 17 outings, including his final eight in Milwaukee before being traded July 2.
"It's ironic," Leskanic said. "I go out there with the game tied and don't give up any runs, and I don't get anything for it. Today I gave up a couple of runs and got a 'W' out of it."
Mike MacDougal pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 31 chances. It was the Royals' first save since July 6, when MacDougal had one against Detroit.
After the Royals gave up the lead, Mayne said the attitude in the dugout was anything but deflated.
"We have been scuffling lately," he said. "There's nothing really to do but keep going on.
"It was a bummer, but we were only down one run. You can't give up."
Mark Malaska (1-1) gave up both Royals runs in the seventh and took the loss.
"We win four in a row and take the lead in the top of the seventh. You'd like to think we'd hold on," Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella said. "We're pitching a lot of young kids and the inexperience shows."
Darrell May started for the Royals on three days' rest for the first time this season. He gave up five runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings.
May was forced to start a day early after Saturday's probable starter, Kris Wilson, had to come into Friday night's 9-6 loss in the third inning.
Wilson relieved Jose Lima, placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of a strained groin.
Down 2-0, the Royals scored four times in the fourth against Rob Bell. Reliever Jon Switzer made his major league debut and gave up Aaron Guiel's sacrifice fly.
Beltran hit a solo homer in the fifth and had an RBI single in the sixth.
Notes
- Beltran was caught stealing in the first inning. After stealing successfully 28 straight times, he now has been caught on his last two attempts.
- Tucker recorded five straight outs in center field in the first and second innings, tying the club record for consecutive putouts. Willie Wilson also recorded five straight against Texas on May 14, 1982.
- Switzer had not pitched above Double-A prior to Saturday's game.
- The Devil Rays had two infield hits and four stolen bases. They lead the majors with 124 infield hits and lead the AL with 94 stolen bases.
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