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 (1-1) 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.
Danny Duffy (2-1) struck out eight in six innings and allowed two runs — neither earned — and four hits with two walks.
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.
Right-hander Brad Keller (1-1, 9.58) will make his fourth start of the season for Kansas City tonight at 7:10.