Kansas City, MO – Mike Moustakas drove in three runs during a late-game offensive surge and James Shields overcame a shaky first inning to get the win against his former club, as the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 8-2, in the opener of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.
Moustakas highlighted a four-run sixth inning with his first homer of the season and sparked a three-run seventh with a sacrifice fly.
Lorenzo Cain, Salvador Perez and Jeff Francoeur each had two hits and knocked in a run for the Royals, who snapped a two-game losing skid and have won four of six overall.
Dealt by the Rays to the Royals in December, Shields (2-2) tossed seven innings and retired the final 13 batters he faced. He gave up a two-run homer to Matt Joyce in the opening frame before settling down to allow just two hits over his final six innings.
"It was a lot of fun facing that team. There's a lot of good memories over there," Shields said.
Kansas City was held off the board through the first 5 2/3 innings by Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb (3-2).
The Royals mustered only four hits -- all singles -- against Cobb before stringing together six straight two-out hits to chase the right-hander.
Eric Hosmer doubled and scored on a base hit by Cain. Moustakas followed with a drive over the right-field wall to put Kansas City up 3-2. Perez then singled home Francoeur, who had doubled.
After Elliot Johnson singled, Jamey Wright retired Alex Gordon on a grounder to second.
The Royals loaded the bases in the seventh and Moustakas plated Alcides Escobar with a fly ball to right. Cain then stole second and an errant throw by catcher Jose Molina allowed Hosmer to score. Francoeur made it 7-2 with a triple to right.
Billy Butler added a sac fly in the eighth for Kansas City's final run.
Desmond Jennings singled to begin the game and Joyce followed with a blast to right-center field. Evan Longoria then drew a one-out walk and James Loney doubled, but Shields, who pitched for Tampa Bay from 2006-12, fanned both Yunel Escobar and Luke Scott to avoid further damage.
"He's very good, he's young and he's a great competitor," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Shields. "He's going to pitch very well here."
Game Notes
Shields is the Rays' all-time leaders in wins (87), games started (217), innings pitched (1,454 2/3) and strikeouts (1,250) ... The Rays tied the team record for consecutive games with a homer at 15 ... Loney had three of Tampa Bay's eight hits ... The Rays activated Scott from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game, and he made his season debut Tuesday, going 0-for-4, after being sidelined with a right calf strain. To make room for Scott on the roster, the club designated outfielder Shelley Duncan for assignment.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.