KANSAS CITY -- C.J. Cron continues to hit, and he went deep in the Rays' 6-5 win over the Royals on Tuesday night in the first inning for his ninth home run of the season.
Denard Span singled off Ian Kennedy to lead off the Rays' first. Cron followed with a 433-foot homer to straightaway center at Kauffman Stadium. The blast had a 27-degree launch angle, with a 110.2 mph exit velocity, according to Statcast™.
Cron has now reached base safely in a career-high 21 consecutive games since April 21 vs. Minnesota.
"I'm just trying to help the team win," said Cron, who went 2-for-5. "I think with Denard trying to set the tone there in the first, it allowed me to get that first-pitch heater, and thankfully, put a good swing on it."
Cron's homer was his second in his last four games, so Tuesday's came at a good time and could signal the start of a long-ball streak for the Rays' designated hitter.
The Rays have struggled going deep this season. Entering Tuesday night's action, they had the second fewest in the Major Leagues with 35, ahead of the Marlins (31).