Jason Vargas hurled eight-plus strong innings as the Kansas City Royals downed the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-2, in the opener of a three-game set.
Vargas (1-0) allowed just one run -- a solo homer in the ninth -- among four hits to earn the win. The southpaw has allowed just two runs this season.
Alcides Escobar hit a three-run triple and Eric Hosmer added an RBI single for the Royals, who took two of three from the White Sox over the weekend.
Greg Holland relieved Vargas in the ninth and allowed one run, but settled down to earn his third save of the season.
Ben Zobrist went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and Matt Joyce added a pinch-hit RBI single.
Matt Moore (0-2) left the game in the fifth inning with an apparent injury. The southpaw delivered a pitch to Royals outfielder Norichika Aoki and grimaced in pain. He was visited at the mound by manager Joe Maddon and the Rays training staff before exiting.
He allowed one run on four hits before leaving.
[SportsNetwork.com]
