The Royals, who lost their fifth straight, now have been shut out in 43 straight innings, the longest such streak in Major League Baseball since the mound was lowered after 1968. The previous mark was 42 by both the 1983 Phillies and the 1985 Astros. The all-time mark is 48 by the 1968 Cubs and the 1906 A's. The Royals also became the first team since the 1992 Cubs to be shut out four straight games.
The Rays, meanwhile, moved ahead of the Royals by a half-game in the American League Wild Card race and are now 2 1/2 games behind the Twins for the second spot.