Paulo Orlando’s second home run of the season, and first since May 17, was pulled well beyond the 14-foot wall in left field and gave Kansas City a 1-0 lead.
Advertisement
The Royals got to Hamels for another run in the fifth on an RBI grounder from Raul Mondesi Jr., but Moreland’s opposite-field homer on the bottom of the fifth knotted the game at 2. After Kendrys Morales opened the frame with a leadoff walk and pinch runner Jarrod Dyson stole second, Dyson got three consecutive groundouts as the Rangers posted just their fourth win by a starter in the past 25 games.
Kansas City starter Ian Kennedy also allowed just one run and had six strikeouts in seven innings.
“It’s always great when you’re able to go out there, you’re doing well and you’re having non-stressful innings and they’re pretty quick, ” the 32-year-old Hamels said.
When Royals manager Ned Yost was asked how his team can emerge from its slump, his blunt answer referred to such struggles at the plate. Moreland is 6-for-10 with three home runs this weekend and has at least one RBI in every contest during his five-game hitting streak. Jurickson Profar hit a solo homer in the sixth and Desmond scored ahead of Odor’s second homer in the seventh on a wild pitch.Volquez surrendered six runs (five earned) on nine hits in his six innings.
Follow along on your desktop or mobile device during Saturday’s Royals-Ranger game for live stats and updates from Rustin Dodd, The Star’s Royals beat reporter, and other Star sportswriters and editors. In that game, Urena’s pitch went sailing near Hazelbaker’s head, prompting the two to square off and punches were thrown.
Moreland was credited with a single on a foul pop in the fifth that ricocheted off the glove of third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert, who made an awkward tumble in foul territory when the ball hit his glove.
The game was a pitching rematch of the Rangers’ 7-4 win in Kansas City last Saturday. Wilson has produced a run eight times in 10 chances with a runner at third and fewer than two outs….
“I think I came out a little strong in the first inning, walking the first guy”. The Royals are 2-5 in the last 7 meetings in Texas.
Rangers: Right-hander Lucas Harrell makes his Rangers debut, four days after being acquired from Atlanta.
Cain went to the disabled list on June 29th with a hamstring strain. Volquez is 0-3 in five career starts against the Rangers, one of four teams he’s never beaten in his career. Royals RHP Luke Hochevar was placed in the 15-day disabled list for symptoms consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome.
The Royals traded outfielder Brett Eibner to Oakland for outfielder Billy Burns.
Advertisement
Player of the Game: Someone found Martin Perez’s changeup wandering the streets lost and afraid and promptly returned it to 1000 Ballpark Way as Perez had his best start in weeks.
