Luis Patiño pitched strongly into the sixth inning, Yandy Díaz drove in three runs, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 7-1 on Thursday night.
Tampa Bay, which is tied with Toronto for the second AL wild card, has won five of six.
Patiño (1-1), recalled from Triple-A Durham to make his first big league appearance since July 23, gave up four hits in 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
Brad Keller, who went 6-13 in 22 starts this year, entered with one out in the seventh and allowed six consecutive hits, he allowed five runs, six hits and threw a run-scoring wild pitch in two-thirds of an inning.
RHP Brady Singer (6-4) starts Friday night against the Rays’ Shane McClanahan (11-5) at 6:10.