By Marc Topkin
Times Staff Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Carl Crawford’s first triple Saturday night had historical significance, making him the first player in more than 70 years to have 80 three-base hits before turning 27.
The second was much more important.
The star leftfielder, immersed in the worst slump of his career, delivered his biggest hit in weeks, knocking in two runs with a two-out triple in the eighth inning as the Rays rallied to a rain-delayed 5-3 win over the Royals.
“We really needed it,” Crawford said. “It was a good feeling to contribute.”
With the victory, the Rays (61-42) widened their American League East lead to two games over Boston and remained three ahead of the hard-charging Yankees, who won their eighth straight by beating the Red Sox again.
The Rays led 2-1 when the game was interrupted for 73 minutes in the middle of the fifth inning as a fierce storm moved in quickly. The Royals quickly tied the score when play resumed, foiling the efforts of Rays starter Scott Kazmir, who threw 69 pitches before the delay, stayed loosed by throwing in the batting cage, then came back out for the fifth.
Kazmir was relatively sharp, though he gave up a run in the fourth. The Rays used a string of four relievers after Kazmir, with Al Reyes getting the win (his first since April 11), Dan Wheeler working a quick eighth and, after Carlos Pena delivered an insurance homer for the second straight night, Troy Percival finishing for his 346th career save, one behind Randy Myers for eighth place on the all-time list.
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