Rays take advantage of strong pitching as road success continues

The Rays took a 5-0 lead into the ninth before allowing their only run of the game — an RBI single from Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino — off reliever Kevin Kelly.

Bradley held up his end of the bargain on the mound, going 6.2 innings and allowing only two hits the entire game. In fact, he did not allow a base runner until Royals right fielder John Rave drew a one-out walk in the sixth. Moments later, third baseman Jonathan India's ground rule double ended Bradley's no-hit bid. 

Coming into the game, Bradley had struggled, allowing at least five runs in his last three starts and lasting no more than four innings. Tuesday's win improved his record to 5-5 and showed what he can do, even if it came against a Royals team that has lost three straight and nine of their last 13.

The Rays (44-35) move within one game of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. They have proven they can win in multiple ways and take care of business on the road.

If they can stay on that pace and continue to put road wins together, that could prove valuable later in the season when the stakes are even higher and, ironically enough, keep them at home.