Royals hit three home runs, top Rays 5-4 for sweep

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Billy Butler greeted reliever Burke Badenhop with a solo home run in the eighth inning, powering Kansas City to a 5-4 victory on a scorching Wednesday afternoon and a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar also homered for the Royals, who got their first three-game home sweep of the Rays since 2001.

Aaron Crow (1-1), the fifth Royals pitcher, was the winner after getting two outs in the eighth and Jonathan Broxton pitched the ninth for his 19th save in 22 opportunities.

Badenhop (1-2) recorded only one out after starter Matt Moore labored through 7 1-3 innings, giving up 10 hits and four runs.