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The Texas Rangers scored four runs and the Kansas City Royals scored one run.
This now expired ten game homestand started with the Rangers getting swept by the Minnesota Twins after beginning the month of June on a slide that was ugly even for this oft-wayward franchise. With Oakland coming to Texas for four, it didn’t seem like thing would be much better for the home team but they somehow came away with a series split against Elvis’ A’s.
That set up a scenario where Texas could inexplicably end the homestand with an even record if they could sweep the almost-but-not-quite-as lowly Royals over the weekend. Bad news for KC, Joey Gallo found the dinger stroke and the Rangers did the thing.
After big wins on Friday and Saturday where Texas outscored Kansas City by a combined 17-4, this contest was a little tighter but never really in doubt after the Rangers ambushed KC starter Brady Singer for three runs in the bottom of the first.
Meanwhile, Rangers starter Jordan Lyles pitched one of his best outings of his tenure with Texas as he went seven innings and allowed just one run on seven hits with zero walks and four Ks on his way to victory.
The Rangers won’t get to bring the comfy confines of The Shed with them for a road trip beginning Tuesday but they’ll be looking to harness this meager bit of momentum as they close out June and open July against division rivals out West.
Player of the Game: Don’t look now but Gallo has rocketed into the top 20 in fWAR in the league and is on pace for a 5+ win season despite folks being certain that he was bad now because he wasn’t hitting home runs.
Well, after his home run today, Gallo is also in the top 20 in doing that while also leading the sport in walks (he did that today, too), playing gold glove defense in right field, and coming equipped with a run-preventing weapon for an arm every night.
Joey Gallo is extremely good.
Up Next: The Rangers have the day off tomorrow before traveling to dreaded Oakland to take on the A’s in a series to put June to bed. Tuesday night’s first pitch from RingCentral Coliseum is scheduled for 8:40 pm CT.