The Royals were simply outplayed in every part of the game.
The game started off with a dominating pitching performance by the Rangers starter Andrew Heaney. Preventing base runners and limiting damage when Kansas City had scoring opportunities doomed the Royals even before the Ranger offensive explosion. The Rangers slowly built their lead then exploded onto the score board as the game progressed.
Heaney kept Kansas City’s offense down once he was able to get into a groove. From the first inning to the fourth inning 9 straight Royals went down on strikes. Heaney was able to throw a lot of eye candy to the young Royals lineup down. He would throw a strike right at eye level and counter it with a low slider. He did not make a mistake. His nine straight strikeouts is one away from the all time MLB record and he now owns the AL record.
Royals Manager Matt Quatraro said his delivery and execution is a why Kansas City struggled to get the bats going.
The challenge is he has an interesting delivery,” Quatraro said. “The low slot carry guy so the ball has that rising appearance to it. Its tough to lay off and he did a good job to his credit pitching at the top of the zone or just above.
In the first inning Kansas City jumped onto the score board. Bobby Whitt Jr. got on one base quickly. Whitt Jr. was able to hit slow change up to left center field. He then stole his first base of the year. Vinnie Pasquantino walked and on a single and error Perez drove in a run.
Perez hit a ball into the corner and a bad play by Adolis Garcia caused the ball to rattle against the wall. Right fielder Garcia was charged with an error.
Rangers respond in the bottom of the first inning. Corey Seager hit a 395 foot home run. The first of three home runs for the Rangers.
Rangers take the lead in the third inning. After a double and an error by Whitt Jr. Zack Greinke took a ball to his glove. The ball rolled to the right side. First baseman Hunter Dozier goes to cover the base and the ball rolled behind Dozier to allow the base runner. Travis Jankowski to score.
Another double to center field would give Jackie Bradley Jr. a chance to field the ball. Semian scored and Seager was sent from third to home. Bradley Jr. threw the ball to Whitt Jr., who was in shallow left field. Whitt Jr, then was able to throw the ball on a hop to eventually throw out Seager.
Jonah Heim added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. It was the second home run of the game giving them a 4-1 lead.
Most of the damage was done in the sixth inning. Dylan Coleman would start the inning with back to back walks. He would get one out and the damage started. Thompson doubled to right putting runners on second and third. Jankowski singled bringing in two more runs. Coleman would then load that base on two more walks. With Garcia coming to the plate Kansas City turned to Jose Cuas. Garcia was 0 for his last 16 at bats but this at bat made up for it. Garcia bombed a home run 419 feet grand slam to bust the game open. The pitch was put in a good by Cuas. It was a lower and inside slider that was muscled for a 413 foot home run. Rangers extend their lead to 11-1
Dozier hits a solo shot to make the score 11-2
Nate Eaton had a day to remember as he was put into pitch for the eighth inning. pitched in he was able to throw some heat hitting the low 90s. He was also able to throw a couple of breaking balls with a slider and curveball and he was able to pick up his first major league strikeout. On offense he was able to get his first hit of the season.
Royals play the Ranger again tomorrow night with first pitch at 7:05
