Seth Lugo held the Rays to just four hits and one run and lowered his league-leading ERA to 1.74 in an 8-1 Royals win. Michael Massey hit a three-run home run, and Freddy Fermin rapped out two hits in a 12-hit barrage to take the first game in the series.
Tampa Bay struck first, loading the bases in the first inning, but Lugo escaped with just one run scoring, on an RBI ground out by Jonathan Aranda. Lugo got Randy Arozarena to fly out to end the threat with the Rays up 1-0.
The Royals got on the board in the fourth when they loaded the bases and Freddy Fermin drew a walk to force in a run against Tyler Alexander.