KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Wacha allowed one run on two hits over six innings, Salvador Perez drove in a pair of runs and the Kansas City Royals got a spectacular defensive play from Kyle Isbel in the ninth to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Wednesday night.
After reliever Chris Stratton gave up a run in the eighth, Royals closer James McArthur entered the game and got Jose Siri to fly out to right field and Richie Palacios to pop foul, leaving runners stranded on second and third.
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Wacha allowed one run on two hits over six innings, Salvador Perez drove in a pair of runs and the Kansas City Royals got a spectacular defensive play from Kyle Isbel in the ninth to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Wednesday night.
Dressed in patriotic colors, Kansas City Royals mascot Sluggger stands for the national anthem before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A fan watches a rainbow from the upper deck during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) slides home past Tampa Bay Rays' Alex Jackson to score on a double by Vinnie Pasquantino during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. slides home to score on a single by Vinnie Pasquantino during the third inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher James McArthur celebrates after a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 4-2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez, celebrates with first base coach Damon Hollins after hitting an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel catches a fly ball for the out on Tampa Bay Rays' Taylor Walls during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 4-2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
McArthur came back for the ninth and gave up a leadoff single to Ben Rortvedt before striking out Yandy Diaz. Taylor Walls followed with a shot to deep center, where Isbel leaped up and slammed into the wall, barely hanging onto the catch as he hit the ground. McArthur then got Isaac Paredes to ground back to the pitcher to finish off his 15th save.
“I was kind of surprised I hung onto it. The wall is pretty hard out there," Isbel said. “I knew there was going to be a collision, but the game is on the line right there.”
Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino also drove in runs, pushing Kansas City to its AL-leading 31st home victory.
Wacha (5-6), who pitched for the Rays in 2021, walked three and struck out eight. The only run he allowed came on Paredes’ homer in the first, making it eight consecutive starts allowing two earned runs or fewer.
“He's really thrown the ball all season,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We just couldn't get anything going. Mixed speeds really well, altered his delivery when we got guys on base. Slide-stepping and throwing timing off. Good performance.”
Ryan Pepiot (4-5) allowed two runs on four his over four innings for Tampa Bay. He struck out three.
After the series opener was delayed 2 1/2 hours by rain and finished after midnight, and Wednesday night's game started amid a drizzle, the clouds finally cleared off and a brilliant double rainbow appeared beyond the right-field wall at sunset.
Tampa Bay jumped ahead on Parades' two-out homer, but that was all the Rays could manage with Wacha on the mound. He left Amed Rosario on third in the second inning, stranded two in the third and worked around a leadoff double in the fourth.
The Royals took advantage of the opening, stringing together three hits in the third inning to take the lead. Isbel led off with a single, but it was Witt's double to left and Pasquantino's single moments later that pushed the runs across.
Kansas City still led 2-1 in the seventh when Shawn Armstrong walked Maikel Garcia and Witt. Perez stepped to the plate and got just enough barrel on the ball to bloop a single to right, scoring both of them and giving the Royals a cushion.
McArthur and Isbel made sure in the ninth that a two-run lead was enough.
“That was the most amazing catch I've seen,” McArthur said. “I knew (Isbel) had a chance on it because he's such a good outfielder, but that was just incredible.”
RAYS MAKE A DEAL
Tampa Bay traded RHP Aaron Civale to the NL Central-leading Brewers, who hope he can help a starting rotation decimated by injuries. The Rays received INF Gregory Barrios in the deal and assigned him to Class-A Bowling Green. Tampa Bay filled Civale's roster spot by recalling RHP Justin Sterner from Triple-A Durham.
UP NEXT
Rays RHP Zach Eflin (4-5, 3.92 ERA) will start the season finale Thursday night. He is coming off six scoreless innings in a 3-1 win over Washington, his first victory since May 13. Royals RHP Alec Marsh (6-5, 4.19) gets the nod for the finale of a 10-game homestand.
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Tampa Bay Rays' Isaac Paredes hits a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Dressed in patriotic colors, Kansas City Royals mascot Sluggger stands for the national anthem before a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
A fan watches a rainbow from the upper deck during the fifth inning of a baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. (7) slides home past Tampa Bay Rays' Alex Jackson to score on a double by Vinnie Pasquantino during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. slides home to score on a single by Vinnie Pasquantino during the third inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher James McArthur celebrates after a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 4-2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez, celebrates with first base coach Damon Hollins after hitting an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel catches a fly ball for the out on Tampa Bay Rays' Taylor Walls during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals won 4-2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
DHARAMSHALA, India (AP) — Hundreds of mostly exiled Tibetans gathered in India’s hillside town of Dharamshala to celebrate the birthday of the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, who turned 89 on Saturday.
The Dalai Lama has made the hillside town his headquarters since fleeing Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Representatives of a Tibetan government-in-exile also reside there.
The main celebrations took place in Tsuglagkhang temple inside the complex where the spiritual leader lives. Tibetan and Buddhist flags adorned poles and railings.
A volunteer distributed Indian sweets to exiled Tibetan Buddhist nuns as teachers helped children with their make-up as they prepared to perform traditional dances.
While a colorful three-tiered cake was cut inside the temple, schoolchildren sang: “Happy Birthday His Holiness.”
Artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, dressed in traditional attire, played the drums and some marched with bagpipes inside the complex, drawing cheers and applause from the crowd. Then, Indian and Tibetan flags were hoisted, as the band played the two national anthems.
Tibetan and Indian officials sat on a slightly raised platform as photos of the Dalai Lama, some from his childhood, hung on pillars around them.
The Dalai Lama, however, wasn’t present. He is currently in the U.S. where he has undergone a knee replacement, according to his secretary.
Addressing the gathering on Saturday, Penpa Tsering, the president of the Tibetan government-in-exile, announced that several events commemorating the Dalai Lama’s achievements would be held throughout the year.
China doesn't recognize the exiled Tibetan government and hasn’t held any dialogue with the representatives of the Dalai Lama since 2010.
Last month, a group of bipartisan U.S. lawmakers met with the Dalai Lama at his Dharamshala residence, sparking anger from China which views the exiled leader of Tibetan Buddhism as a dangerous separatist.
The Dalai Lama denies being a separatist and says he only advocates substantial autonomy and protection of Tibet’s native Buddhist culture.
India considers Tibet to be part of China, though it hosts Tibetan exiles.
Exiled Tibetan school girls in a traditional costumes eat cakes and sweets as they wait to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
An exiled Tibetan wears an amulet with a portrait of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama before he performs a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of the spiritual leader at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetan monks carry ceremonial offerings at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Penpa Tsering, President of Central Tibetan Administration, right, pays his respects in front of a ceremonial chair of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of the spiral leader at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetans in ceremonial outfits wait to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
An exiled Tibetan applies eyeliner to another as they wait to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetan children in ceremonial outfits wait to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
A large cake sits on a decorated table as Tibetan and Indian officials stand for their national anthems at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exile Tibetans in a ceremonial dress perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetans sit in front of a large Tibetan flag at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetans watch a cultural performance from a balcony at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
A young exiled Tibetan girl gets her lips painted by her teacher before she performs a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetan children in ceremonial outfits look on from a balcony as they wait to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetans in a ceremonial outfits eat cakes as they wait to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetan school children and volunteers put cakes on paper plates before distributing them to a gathering at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
A volunteer distributes Indian sweets to exile Tibetan Buddhist nuns at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
A band from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts plays at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Exiled Tibetan school girls in a traditional costumes eat cakes and sweets as they wait to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Two boys in a traditional costumes wait for their turn to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Tsering Dolma, a school girl, gets ready to perform a traditional dance at an event to celebrate the 89th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
