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MLB: Tampa Bay 11, Kansas City 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 29 (UPI) -- Jason Bartlett and Reid Brignac combined for six RBI Thursday, all of them coming in the second and third innings, powering Tampa Bay past Kansas City 11-1.

The Rays won their fifth straight and improved the best record in the majors to 17-5. Tampa Bay did not win its 17th game last season until the middle of May.

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Tampa Bay pounded out 15 hits and took a 9-0 lead through three innings.

Brignac had an RBI single and Bartlett tripled in two runs during a five-run second. The Rays added four in the third, Brignac driving home two of the runs with a single and Bartlett producing another with a fielder's choice grounder.

Matt Garza (4-1) was the beneficiary of the early onslaught, getting the victory with a six-inning effort during which he gave up five hits and struck out nine.

Luke Hochevar (2-1) was rocked for nine runs on 11 hits over 2 2/3 innings.

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