The Texas Rangers scored once but the Kansas City Royals scored six runs.
The Royals called the perfect play on the play-call sheet to beat the Rangers. Namely, they called the score runs immediately play to force an already anemic Texas offense to play from behind.
The Royals scored three runs in the first inning off of Rangers starter Jack Leiter, who was not at his best. Three runs before the Texas bats even got a crack at the Royals felt like a death sentence, which it ultimately proved to be.
No team is going to be favored down 3-0 a few minutes into a game, but for Texas, where they seemingly need optimal conditions virtually at all points to succeed, a 3-0 deficit rendered this one moot before folks had settled in with their nachos.
When the Rangers have won their games this season, they’ve gotten it done with elite starting pitching. That wasn’t in the cards tonight as Leiter ultimately allowed six runs on eight hits with two walks and just four strikeouts as the Royals connected for three home runs.
With the loss, the Rangers missed out on their chance to move back above .500 for the first time since they were 25-24 back on May 20.
Player of the Game: I mean, objectively it was Salvador Perez who went 3-for-4, homered twice, and drove in four of the game’s seven total runs. A Ranger? Caleb Boushley soaked up 3 1⁄3 scoreless innings to save the rest of the ‘pen from having to labor during a clear lost cause so we’ll give it to him.
Up Next: Tomorrow will bring a battle between two pitchers who have succeeded far more than expected so far this season as the Rangers turn to LHP Patrick Corbin to face off against LHP Kris Bubic for KC.
The Wednesday night first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 7:05 pm CT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network.