Kansas City, Mo. ? Maybe opponents should stop pitching to those dangerous No. 9 hitters of Tampa Bay.

The bottom spot in the Devil Rays’ order has combined for 10 home runs, including Alex Gonzalez’s 425-foot solo shot with two outs in the ninth inning for a 3-2 victory Friday over Kansas City.

Tampa Bay doesn’t have any homers from the cleanup spot, where teams traditionally pack their strongest punch.

“It’s 10-0,” Rays manager Lou Piniella said. “I don’t have an explanation for it. I really don’t. We’ve got probably the most productive ninth hole in all major league baseball.”

The Royals scored a run in the eighth to tie it at 2, and four straight Devil Rays batters struck out before Gonzalez turned on a fastball from Ambiorix Burgos and sent it soaring into the water display behind left field.

Danys Baez (4-0) pitched the ninth to lock up Tampa Bay’s second road victory in 13 games.

Although all three of Gonzalez’s home runs have come from the No. 9 spot, he’s just as puzzled as Piniella.

“There’s no way I can explain that,” he said. “If I’m in that position in the No. 9 hole when it happens, I’m a happy man.”

Added Piniella: “Let’s hope when the season’s over, we don’t have to talk about that statistic too much.”

Burgos (1-3) gave up the homer on a 95-mph fastball.

“He pitched to a veteran hitter who kind of sat on the fastball,” Royals interim manager Bob Schaefer said. “Burgos was outstanding except for that one pitch. The veteran hitter got him, and he’s going to learn.”

Josh Phelps had a two-run single in the third for the Devil Rays, whose only other victory in 13 road games had come April 19 at New York.

“We doubled our road win total,” Piniella said.

Doug Waechter, whose longest stint this year had been seven innings, allowed two hits and took a 2-1 lead into the eighth. But he gave up singles to Mark Teahen and Ruben Gotay and was lifted for Trevor Miller after Angel Berroa sacrificed the runners into scoring position.

Miller intentionally walked David DeJesus to load the bases, and Baez came in to face Eli Marrero, who delivered a sacrifice fly that scored Teahen with the tying run. Baez then got Matt Stairs to ground out for the third out.

6Sports video: Devil Rays slip by Royals

Waechter went 7 1/3 innings and gave up two runs and four hits.

“I felt like I got into a pretty good rhythm,” Waechter said. “I got quick outs, which is always my goal. The team won, and that’s my main goal.”

Right-hander D.J. Carrasco, one day after being called up from Triple-A Omaha, pitched six strong innings in only his third major-league start. He gave up five hits and two runs.

“I’d chalk it up as a pretty good outing for me,” said Carrasco, who has spent most of his career in the bullpen.

“The game is a lot more interesting as a starter,” he said. “I compare it to chess and checkers. Out of the bullpen it’s more like checkers, out of the starting rotation it’s more of a chess game. It feels good to be a starter.”

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Notes: Thursday night’s 7-5 loss to Kansas City was just the second game in Devil Rays’ history that failed to go nine innings. … Royals 1B Mike Sweeney was out a second straight game because of a pulled muscle on his right side. The Royals said he was day-to-day and would not go on the DL. … 1B Ken Harvey was removed in the third inning because of what the Royals called increased tightness in the back. … Tampa Bay center fielder Damon Hollins went hitless for just the second time in 12 games since being called up May 2.