Moustakas ends skid at plate against Rays

KANSAS CITY -- The Moose has finally broken loose.

After going 0-for-21 to start the season (including three walks), Mike Moustakas got his first hit in Tuesday night's 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay.

Moustakas led off the Royals' ninth inning with a single off closer Grant Balfour up the middle past second baseman Ben Zobrist.

"Get on base right there, leading off the inning, it's a big at-bat; I was just trying to do what I can to get on right there, and I was able to sneak it through Zobrist," Moustakas said.

He was ultimately stranded at first base, but at least his personal slide was ended.

"You can tell he's getting ready to take off," manager Ned Yost said. "You watch his batting practices and they're unbelievable, just unbelievable. When you're 0-for-20, that first hit takes a lot of weight off your shoulders. Let's see if that won't get him going."

Moustakas agreed that he was feeling good in practice.

"It feels good; it's batting practice, though," he said. "I've been feeling pretty good of late, but it was a tough loss for us tonight."