ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Reuters) - The Kansas City Royals needed 11 innings this time, but they beat the Tampa Bay Rays for the second consecutive game, winning 4-2 on Alberto Callaspo's tie-breaking two-run double Saturday.
Callaspo's grounder with the bases loaded and two out rolled into right field, scoring Scott Podsednik and Alex Gordon.
"That was huge, especially sneaking it past a Gold Glover like Carlos (Rays first baseman Carlos Pena)," Royals manager Trey Hillman told reporters. "He (Pena) really didn't have a chance at it," Royals manager Trey Hillman said.
The hit came off Rays reliever Lance Cromier.
"I hit that ball good and when I saw it inside the line, I said, 'Take it,' " Callaspo said. "I don't know where he (Pena) was. The only thing I know is it was a double."
Tampa Bay, the American League East leader, had won five in a row before the two losses to Kansas City.
"We're happy with where we are, winning two out of the three, and we've got our ace going Sunday with Zack (Greinke)," said Royals starter Kyle Davies, who allowed three hits and two runs over six innings.
Winner Robinson Tejeda (2-2) came on in the eighth to pitch three hitless innings and Joakim Soria earned his seventh save by pitching the 11th.
"They're pitching really well against us," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Tejeda was really good and Soria is really good. They out-bullpenned us tonight."
The Rays had a chance to win when they put two men on base in their half of the 11th inning, but Soria struck out the next three batters.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina. Editing by Ian Ransom; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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