ARLINGTON, Texas — The Royals emphatically avoided a three-game sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers.
Rolled in the series opener, walked off in the second game, the Royals took out some frustration with a 10-1 triumph on Wednesday.
The Royals, who broke a three-game skid, hit early and often, MJ Melendez, hitting leadoff, drove in three runs with a pair of hits. Bobby Witt Jr., tripled in a run and collected three hits and three stolen bases for the first time in his young career.
Vinnie Pasquantino belted his second home run of the season.
NIcky Lopez picked up two hits, including a double, and scored twice. Only Salvador Perez among the regulars didn’t record a base hit.
The run total and 14 hits were season bests for the Royals, who improved to 4-9. They batted around in the seventh inning, scoring four times with Michael Massey driving in two with a base hit.
With three runs in the second inning, Royals starter Brad Keller and the bullpen had all the support they needed.
Keller, 2-1, breezed most of the night, at one point retiring 10 straight. He exited with two outs in the seventh. He struck out seven, scatted three hit and lowered his ERA on the season to 2.12.
The Royals split their six-game road trip against the Giants and Rangers.
REYES ON THE MOVE
Franmil Reyes, all 280 pounds of him, sparked the Royals with his speed.
Reyes beat out a swinging bunt to the left side, and after moving to second on Edward Olivares’ infield single, scored from second when Nicky Lopez singled up the middle.
Third base coach Vance Wilson was pointing to the base as Reyes made the turn, signaling stop. But Reyes accelerated and scored easily.
SALVY AT FIRST
A series of defensive switches had Perez playing first base in the final two innings. And wouldn’t you know, the first batter of the inning Sandy Leon, hit a grounder to Perez. He fielded it cleanly and tossed it to pitcher Taylor Clarke for the out.
This marked the first time since 2020 that Perez logged innings at first base, and it’s the 10th game there in his 1,266-game career.
NEXT
After the first off day of the season on Thursday, the Royals return home for six games, including three against these same Rangers. First, the Atlanta Braves arrive at Kauffman Stadium for a weekend series and three different starting times. Friday’s game starts at 7:10 p.m., followed by Saturday at 3:10 p.m., and Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
The Rangers and Royals resume their season series on Monday with all three games starting at 6:40 p.m.
