Live Updates: Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers (Game Two)
After falling 6-2 on Friday, the Royals look to bounce back and even the series in Arlington.
In this story:
On Saturday, the Kansas City Royals will face the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. This matchup comes on the heels of a tough loss for the Royals, who fell to the Rangers 6-2 in a game defined by a tumultuous sixth inning on Friday.
The Royals, now 42-35, will look to bounce back with Michael Wacha (RHP) on the mound. Wacha, holding a 4-5 record with a 4.24 ERA and 56 strikeouts, will aim to lead his team to victory.
The Rangers, currently 35-40, will counter with Jon Gray (RHP), who has a 2-3 record, a 3.31 ERA, and 65 strikeouts. Gray's consistent performances this season make him a formidable opponent for the Royals' sputtering lineup.
Fans can catch the game on Bally Sports Southwest, Bally Sports Kansas City, ESPN+, and MLBN (out-of-market only).
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How It Happened...
FINAL — Rangers 6, Royals 0.
Ninth Inning:
- The Royals faced a tough inning in the 9th. Vinnie Pasquantino started with a strikeout, called out on strikes. Bobby Witt Jr. followed with a pop out to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe in foul territory, putting the Royals down to their final out. Nelson Velázquez then singled on a ground ball to left fielder Wyatt Langford, but Garrett Hampson ended the inning with a strikeout, swinging at a pitch outside of the zone.. The Royals couldn't generate any late-game heroics — they drop yet another game.
Eighth Inning:
- In the top of the 8th inning, the Royals continued to struggle at the plate. MJ Melendez led off but struck out swinging for the first out. Maikel Garcia followed and was called out on strikes, marking the second out. Freddy Fermin then grounded out to shortstop Corey Seager, who threw to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe for the final out. The Royals couldn't muster any offense, going down in order once again. The Rangers also put five more on the board in the bottom half. Rangers 6, Royals 0.
Seventh Inning:
- In the top of the 7th inning, the Royals were hoping to spark some offense, but it was not to be. Jon Gray was replaced by Jacob Latz on the mound. Vinnie Pasquantino was the first to face Latz and went down swinging for the first out. Salvador Perez followed but popped out to second baseman Marcus Semien for the second out. Nick Loftin then stepped up and was called out on strikes, ending the inning with the Royals still struggling to get on the board.
Sixth Inning:
- In the top of the 6th inning, the Royals' struggles continued. Garrett Hampson led off but was called out on strikes. Adam Frazier then stepped up and grounded out to first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. After a mound visit, Bobby Witt Jr. popped out to third baseman Josh Smith, ending the inning with yet another three quick outs. Kansas City's bats can't seem to get going.
Fifth Inning:
- In the top of the 5th inning, the Royals struggled to get anything going. MJ Melendez started things off but could only manage a fly ball to left field, where Wyatt Langford made the catch for the first out. Maikel Garcia followed with a grounder to third base, but Josh Smith was quick on the throw to Nathaniel Lowe at first, getting Garcia out. Freddy Fermin then stepped up, but the result was the same as Garcia's, grounding out to Josh Smith who made the play to Lowe, ending the inning with yet another three quick outs.
Fourth Inning:
- In the top of the 4th inning, Vinnie Pasquantino led off for the Royals but couldn't get past Leody Taveras in center field, lining out for the first out. Salvador Perez followed, sending a fly ball to left field, but Wyatt Langford was ready and waiting, making the catch for the second out. Nick Loftin then stepped up to the plate, but like Perez, he also sent a fly ball to left field, and once again, Langford was there to make the catch, wrapping up a quick 1-2-3 inning for the Royals. Josh Smith, however, hits a blast to right to give Texas the edge. Rangers 1, Royals 0.
Third Inning:
- Maikel Garcia kicked things off for the Royals, but he couldn't quite find a gap and grounded out to Josh Smith at third, who made the throw to first for the out. Freddy Fermin then stepped up and sent a fly ball to center field, but Leody Taveras was there to make the catch for the second out. Garrett Hampson followed with a solid single to center, giving the Royals a glimmer of hope. Adam Frazier kept the momentum going with a single to right, the ball deflecting off first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, which allowed Hampson to advance to third. However, Bobby Witt Jr. ended the inning by lining out to pitcher Jon Gray, who quickly threw to first for the final out.
Second Inning:
- The Royals started the second inning with Salvador Perez stepping up to the plate. He made solid contact, but it was right at Wyatt Langford in left field, who made the catch for the first out. Nick Loftin came up next, but he couldn't get his bat going and was called out on strikes for the second out. MJ Melendez then tried to keep the inning alive, but he struck out on a foul tip, ending the inning with three quick outs.
First Inning:
- Adam Frazier kicked things off for the Royals, but he got under one and sent it out to center, where Leody Taveras was right there to make the catch for the first out. Bobby Witt Jr. followed, smacking a sharp line drive, but once again, Taveras was perfectly positioned in center to snag it for the second out. Vinnie Pasquantino then came up hoping to spark something, getting good wood on the ball, but it ended up as a flyout to Adolis García in right field. And just like that, the Royals were retired in order.
Pregame:
- Starting Lineups:
Michael Wacha makes his return to the bump as we look to even the series against the Rangers. pic.twitter.com/8Df4fil8Sq
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 22, 2024
- First pitch is slated for 3:00 p.m. CT.
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