Buck, Aviles homer to end Rays' win streak at 7

[July 08, 2008]  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays' seven-game winning streak ended when John Buck and Mike Aviles hit 10th-inning homers to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 7-4 win on Monday.

Carlos Pena hit a tying solo homer off All-Star closer Joakim Soria in the ninth, but it wasn't enough for the first-place Rays, who finished a seven-game homestand at 6-1.

Billy Butler reached second to start the 10th on a throwing error by Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. Pinch runner Esteban German advanced to third on Mark Teahen's grounder. After Dan Wheeler (2-4) intentionally walked Ross Gload, Buck lined his fourth homer of the season down the left-field line. Two pitches later, Aviles homered to make it 7-3.

Soria (1-1) blew his second save in 25 chances. The right-hander also allowed Eric Hinske's solo homer in the bottom of the 10th.

Tampa Bay, with the major's best record at 55-33, lost for the second time in the last 13 games.

Aviles had three hits and David DeJesus had three hits and two RBIs for the Royals, who avoided being swept in the four-game series.

Carl Crawford started in center for the first time since June 18, 2006, and his lack of hustle helped the Royals take a 3-2 edge when Ross Gload singled up the middle in the third. Crawford failed to charge the ball and Mark Teahen scored from second, never slowing down en route to the plate.

Crawford moved over from left to center because center fielder B.J. Upton was given the day off. Crawford made a nice catch going back toward the warning track on Billy Butler's drive in the fifth.

Royals starter Gil Meche gave up two runs and seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts in 5 1-3 innings. Tampa Bay's Matt Garza allowed three runs and nine hits over 6 2-3 innings.

Royals manager Trey Hillman rested outfielder Jose Guillen and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, who has body soreness. Guillen went 0-for-10 in the first three games of series.

The Rays finish the first half of the season with two games at the Yankees and four in Cleveland against the Indians.

Notes: Crawford became the ninth player since 1900 to reach 300 steals before the age of 27 when he swiped second base in the first. Crawford, who turns 27 on August 5, joined Rickey Henderson, Ty Cobb, Tim Raines, Vince Coleman, Cesar Cedeno, Clyde Milan, Eddie Collins and Sherry Magee in accomplishing the feat. ... Hillman talked with members of the U.S. Military All-Star baseball team and let the players shag and take grounders with the Royals during batting practice. Several Royals players traded uniform tops with the All-Stars during the workout. ... Rays reliever Al Reyes (right shoulder) could be reinstated from the 15-day disabled list right after the All-Star break.

[Associated Press]

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