Seth Lugo becomes AL’s first 8-game winner, Royals beat Rays 8-1 to improve to 33-19
By MARK DIDTLER
Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Seth Lugo became the American League’s first eight-game winner, Michael Massey and Bobby Witt Jr, homered and the Kansas City Royals beat the Tampa Bay Rays 8-1 on Friday night for their seventh consecutive victory. Lugo (8-1) allowed one run and four hits, lowering his AL-best ERA from 1.79 to to 1.74. Only Philadelphia’s Ranger Suárez has more victories in the majors with nine. The Royals are a season-best 14-game over .500 at 33-19. Kansas City was 15-37 after 52 games last season and did not get to 33 wins until Aug. 1. Massey put Kansas City ahead 5-1 in the fifth with a three-run homer off Tyler Alexander (2-3). ampa Bay has lost a season-high five in a row to fall to 25-27.