The Royals pulled off an improbably comeback today, beating the Texas Rangers in extra innings, 7-6. The game winning run was scored by
Eric Hosmer, who scored on a costly throwing error by rookie Mike Olt to end
the game. With the win, Kansas City moves to 45-62 on the season.
With the scored tied up at 6 in the bottom of the 10th,
the Rangers made several critical mistakes that allowed the Royals to steal the
game. Olt’s error lead to the end of the game on Jeff Francoeur’s grounder, but
Texas had shot itself in the foot previously in the inning to put themselves in
that position. Alberto Gonzalez botched a routine ground ball only three
pitches earlier which allowed Hosmer to advance.
It appeared as if the Royals were on the verge of being swept all game, as Texas took a three run lead in the fourth inning. After Kansas City regained the lead thanks to home runs by Francoeur and Bryan Pena, Olt tied the game up for the Rangers on a double from Michael Young. Elvis Andrus attempted to give the Rangers the lead on the same play, but was thrown out at home. Texas would have another opportunity to win the game in the top of the tenth, when they loaded the bases with only one out. Alcides Escobar made a great diving catch for the second out of the inning, and Greg Holland struck out Olt to keep Kansas City alive.
It appeared as if the Royals were on the verge of being swept all game, as Texas took a three run lead in the fourth inning. After Kansas City regained the lead thanks to home runs by Francoeur and Bryan Pena, Olt tied the game up for the Rangers on a double from Michael Young. Elvis Andrus attempted to give the Rangers the lead on the same play, but was thrown out at home. Texas would have another opportunity to win the game in the top of the tenth, when they loaded the bases with only one out. Alcides Escobar made a great diving catch for the second out of the inning, and Greg Holland struck out Olt to keep Kansas City alive.
The Royals start a seven game road trip tomorrow, when they
travel to Chicago to take on the White Sox. Luis Mendoza (5-7), who has been
pitching well of late, will take the mound for Kansas City. Chris Sale (12-3), in the midst of one of the best pitching seasons in the majors this year, will start for Chicago.