ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — — The Tampa Bay Rays‘ biggest loss came long before a rare defeat.
The major league-leading Rays lost ace Shane McClanahan to mid-back tightness in a 6-5 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.
Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said there were no plans for additional tests.
McClanahan was looking to become the majors’ first 12-game winner of the year before leaving with two outs in the fourth.
Maikel Garcia drew a walk from Pete Fairbanks (0-2) to start the ninth, then stole second and third. After Fairbanks got a pair of strikeouts, Garcia scored on MJ Melendez’s infield single down the first-base line to put the Royals ahead 6-5. The Royals stole seven bases overall.
Aroldis Chapman (3-2) struck out the side during a perfect eighth, topping out at 102.6 mph. Scott Barlow got three outs for his ninth save.
RHP Zack Greinke (1-7) on Friday night at 5:40.