Tampa Bay Rays complete 4-game sweep by beating Royals on throwing error in 9th inning

Tampa Bay reached its high-water mark of 2018 by just putting the ball in play. A throwing error on Kevin Kiermaier's bases-loaded grounder in the bottom of the ninth inning helped the Rays complete their first season sweep of an American League opponent with a 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night. Tampa Bay swept the four-game series and finished 7-0 against the lowly Royals this year. The only other season sweep in team history that included multiple series was a four-game wipeout of the Marlins in 2013. Jake Bauers drew a leadoff walk from Brian Flynn (4-4) in the ninth and went to third on C.J. Cron's single. After Joey Wendle grounded out and Willy Adames was intentionally walked to load the bases, Kiermaier grounded a 3-2 pitch to first baseman Ryan O'Hearn, who made a wild toss to the plate.