18-16 - Rangers go off for season-high 15 runs to even series in Kansas City

The Texas Rangers scored 15 runs while the Kansas City Royals scored four runs.

I’d been a minute since the Rangers had hauled off and put up double digits. In fact, they last did so when they scored a then season-high 12 runs in the first game of a long road trip back on April 12 in Houston. It took ‘em an extra game to begin this road trip, but with a new season-high 15 runs tonight, the Rangers have their fourth game this season with ten or more runs.

Texas accomplished the feat with every member of the lineup getting at least one hit other than an ailing Wyatt Langford and with five members collecting more than one hit. The top of the order floundering more than expected had been contributing to the issues with inconsistent scoring on the year, but they were doing the Gas-House Gorillas conga line tonight with seven of Texas’ 17 hits coming from the first three batters.

The blowout victory does come with some downsides, unfortunately. Langford left the game after tweaking his hamstring on a ground out and Josh Sborz’s velo readings were way down in his appearance in relief of starter Dane Dunning.

Dunning himself exited before qualifying for a victory by an out in a then 7-2 game after just 79 pitches one start after he was lifted after just 69 pitches despite a dominant outing. There’s no indication that Dunning is hurt but his sudden short leash is something worth monitoring.

Player of the Game: Nathaniel Lowe started the game 4-for-4 from the No. 3 hole before a couple of late inning ground outs marred his shot at even more production, but he finished the night with four hits, two runs scored, and two runs driven in.

Up Next: The rubber match of this series sees RHP Jon Gray set to pitch for Texas opposite a pitcher to be named for Kansas City, though it would be World Series championship blood sacrifice Cole Ragans’ turn in the rotation.

The Sunday afternoon matinee finale from Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 1:10 pm CT and will be aired on BS Southwest.