KANSAS CITY — Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero launched a 438-foot home run for the fifth consecutive game, powering a 10-4 rout of the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium and extending the Rays’ winning streak to six games.

Caminero’s 23rd homer of the season — an 0-1 fastball hammered to left field off Royals left-hander Noah Cameron — gave him eight home runs in his past seven games, the most in a seven-game span by a player age 22 or younger since at least 1900. Kyle Schwarber is the only player to go deep eight times in any seven-game stretch since 2022. “Special player,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “It’s really impressive.”

“With a hitter like that, with as hot as he is, can’t really throw fastballs in the zone with him,” Cameron said. “Not necessarily a bad pitch to a normal hitter, I guess.”

Caminero became the fourth player in Rays history to homer in five consecutive games, joining Mike Zunino, José Canseco and Carlos Peña, who holds the franchise record at six straight. The streak ties the longest home run streak at age 22 or younger since at least 1900, matching Ronald Acuña Jr. (2018), Brian McCann (2006) and Jack Clark (1978). If Caminero goes deep again, he would be the first player in the Majors to homer in six straight games since Rafael Devers accomplished the feat for the Red Sox from May 15-20, 2024. The all-time record is eight consecutive games, set by Dale Long in 1956 and matched by Don Mattingly (1987) and Ken Griffey Jr. (1993).

“He’s locked in,” said outfielder Ryan Vilade, who followed Caminero’s third-inning shot with a homer on Cameron’s next pitch. “I mean, he’s Cami. He’s doing his thing.”

The Rays have outscored opponents 43-13 during their six-game winning streak. Griffin Jax threw a season-high six innings to record his first quality start since he was in the Twins’ rotation on Aug. 16, 2021. Eight players recorded hits and six drove in runs. The offensive outburst marked the fifth straight game in which the Rays hit multiple home runs, their longest such streak since a six-game run from April 3-9, 2023.

“He’s the leader in this lineup, and when he goes, we go,” said catcher Nick Fortes, who had two hits and two RBIs. “He’s just been setting a really good example and a great tone for the rest of us. And, honestly, taking a lot of pressure off of other hitters, because he’s been driving in so many runs himself.”

Caminero, who was named American League Player of the Week on Monday, officially announced his participation in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13. He also leads Blue Jays rookie Kazuma Okamoto in the first Phase 2 All-Star balloting update in a bid to start his second straight Midsummer Classic at third base. “Continue voting. Continue,” Caminero said. “Hopefully, we’re starting.” Caminero turns 23 on Sunday; his 75th career homer ties him with Joe DiMaggio and Juan Gonzalez for the 22nd-most by a player before his 23rd birthday.

“Thank God, he’s on our team,” Jax said, smiling.