How the Kansas City Royals provided some early fireworks against Tampa Bay Rays

The Kansas City Royals gave their announced crowd of 23,268 plenty to cheer about on a damp Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium.

After some pre-game rain, the Royals defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2. The Royals improved to 48-40 by winning the second game of the series on the day before the Fourth of July.

After leading 2-1 since the third inning, the Royals added valuable runs in the seventh. Team captain Salvador Perez doubled in two runs to put KC up 4-2.

The Rays answered with a run of their own in the eighth and looked primed for more off reliever Chris Stratton. But James McArthur was summoned and he got the final five outs for the save.

Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel made a fantastic catch while hitting the wall that prevented a potential Tampa Bay run in the top of the ninth.

Here’s how the rest of the game went down:

Both starting pitchers were impressive Wednesday.

Royals starter Michael Wacha allowed two hits and three walks in his outing. He threw 97 pitches and struck out eight. He allowed one earned run in six innings.

Meanwhile, Rays starter Ryan Pepiot had a slightly worse outing. He lasted four innings, allowing two earned runs and four hits. He walked three batters in 87 pitches.

It didn’t take long for the Rays to get on the scoreboard. Tampa Bay’s Isaac Paredes hit a solo homer to put the Rays up 1-0.

Two innings later, the Royals finally got on the board. First, Bobby Witt Jr. doubled to bring home Isbel. Then, Vinnie Pasquantino singled to drive in Witt and put the Royals up 2-1.

Missed the start of the Series?

Game 1: The Royals fought through a 2-hour-plus rain delay. Here’s how Game 1 vs. the Rays ended.

Bobby Witt Jr. continues to shine

Tell me if you’ve heard this before: Bobby Witt Jr. was the first player to drive in a run for the Royals.

Witt’s double in the third inning got the scoring started for the Royals. And he didn’t stop there.

He finished 2-for-3 for the night with two hits and one walk.

Up next for the Royals

The Royals finish their three-game series against the Rays at 7:10 p.m. Central on Thursday. Alec Marsh faces off against Tampa Bay’s Zach Eflin.