The Kansas City Royals avoided a three-game sweep by the Texas Rangers with a convincing 10-1 victory on Wednesday night. Bobby Witt Jr., the son of former Texas pitcher Bobby Witt, was one of the stars of the game, hitting three times, including an RBI triple, and stealing three bases, all of which contributed to the Royals’ four-run seventh inning. MJ Melendez and Vinnie Pasquantino also had impressive performances, with Melendez driving in three runs and Pasquantino hitting a home run.
The Royals came into the game with a poor season record, averaging only 2.8 runs per game and a batting average of .190 as a team. However, the team showed up with season-high hits and runs to clinch the much-needed victory.
Kansas City’s Brad Keller was also impressive on the mound, giving up just one run in 6 2/3 innings, and striking out seven batters. The right-hander has half of Kansas City’s four victories, and has yet to allow more than two runs in any of his three starts. This was also his 18th consecutive start with a decision, the longest streak in the majors in three years and longest for the Royals since Tim Belcher’s 21-start streak in 1996-97.
The Rangers had announced earlier that day that their star shortstop Corey Seager would miss at least four weeks with a hamstring strain. Texas was unable to get a winning streak going without Seager, as they were halted after their second three-game winning streak of the season.
The Royals will next face Atlanta at home, while the Rangers are set to meet Houston in their next game.