Anyone needing to stay cool in this week’s heat wave could simply grab a bat from the Kansas City Royals dugout, because they were ice cold against Tampa Bay in a 3-0 loss to the Rays on Wednesday, June 25 at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals’ ninth straight loss at home.

The Royals only had three hits all game, including a Bobby Witt Jr double in the sixth, but were unable to capitalize on that or three walks. Despite nine strikeouts from Michael Wacha, Tampa Bay’s three runs in the second were more than enough to defeat the Royals. Those three runs came off a bunt single by José Caballero, a wild pitch from Wacha, and a sacrifice bunt by Danny Jansen. Wacha ended up giving up the three runs on nine hits and walk across six innings in his seventh loss of the year, while Drew Rasmussen punched out five Royals batters and allowed just two singles and two walks.

The Royals (38-42) are now in a tie with Minnesota for third in the AL Central, 11.5 games behind Detroit for the division and 3.5 games behind Seattle in the wild card chase. The offense will need to provide support to Michael Lorenzen on Thursday afternoon if the Royals are to avoid a sweep. Lorenzen will take the mound at 1:10 p.m., with pregame beginning at 12:30 p.m. on KMMO AM 1300.