KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 24 (UPI) -- Gil Meche kept Tampa Bay scoreless through seven innings Thursday and the Kansas City Royals held on for a 4-2 victory over the Rays.
Tampa Bay fell back into a tie with Boston for the lead in the American League East.
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John Buck doubled home two runs in Kansas City's three-run fourth and the Royals held a 4-0 advantage through seven innings thanks to Meche (8-9).
Meche, who is 5-1 in his last nine starts, allowed five hits and struck out four.
Ron Mahay surrendered a run in the eighth and Joakim Soria picked up his 27th save despite giving up another run in the ninth.
Eric Hinske came to the plate as the potential tying run in the ninth, but Soria struck him out swinging on a 2-2 pitch to end the game.
