• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Royals use long ball to beat Rangers in extras

May 28, 2011 - 6:28 AM Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Back-to-back home runs by Melky Cabrera and Eric Hosmer opened the floodgates in the 14th inning and pushed the Kansas City Royals over the Texas Rangers, 12-7, in the opener of a three-game set.

Alex Gordon had a game-tying homer in the ninth for the Royals, who snapped a five-game losing streak. Brayan Pena added a three-run shot during the final frame to create a comfortable lead as Kansas City's final six runs were scored on home runs.

Kansas City starting pitcher Nathan Adcock did not fair well, allowing seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. However, the bullpen buckled down to pitch 11 1/3 scoreless innings and Blake Wood (2-0) tossed a perfect 13th to get the win.

"The bullpen deserves all the credit. Thanks to them we were able to come away with the victory," Pena said.

Texas scored all its runs during the first two innings, highlighted by Ian Kinsler's solo shot and David Murphy's two-run homer.

Dave Bush (0-1) gave up all five runs in the 14th to suffer the loss, the Rangers' second in three games.

There were 13 runs scored during the first two innings. and then zeros stretched across the board until the ninth.

Trailing 7-6, Gordon ripped a second-deck shot in right field off Neftali Feliz to knot the game, and the Rangers left the bases loaded when Nelson Cruz was caught looking at the third strike to send the game into extras.

Kansas City's offense finally broke out in the 14th with five runs to run away with the win.

The Royals came out firing to start the game with three straight doubles by Gordon, Cabrera and Hosmer. Two runs scored during that span while Wilson Betemit singled in Hosmer three batters later.

However, Texas countered with a five-run bottom half.

Kinsler started it off with a homer into the right field seats. Following an Elvis Andrus groundout, Josh Hamilton ripped a double and scored on Michael Young's two-bagger. Young scored on a Cruz groundout just before Murphy ended the burst with a two-run shot.

Kansas City put up three more runs in the second to recapture the lead. Hosmer had a bases-loaded single to score two runs, and Billy Butler had an RBI single later in the inning.

Again, Texas countered with two runs during the bottom half to reclaim the lead.

Leadoff man Kinsler started the half with a walk and scored on Andrus' single and a throwing error by right fielder Jeff Francoeur. Andrus then touched home on Hamilton's groundout to take a 7-6 lead.

From there the game settled down as Texas starting pitcher Colby Lewis lasted six innings, allowing six runs -- four earned -- on seven hits.

"I never thought he would make it to the sixth, but he did. I tip my hat to him," Rangers manager Ron Washington said of his starter.

Meanwhile the Royals used six pitchers to close out the game. Felipe Paulino, acquired from Colorado for cash considerations on Thursday, hurled 4 1/3 one- hit innings with three strikeouts to relieve Adcock.

Game Notes

Kansas City has played in 12 extra inning games this season and is 6-6...It was the longest game for either team this season...Game time was 4:36... Texas left 12 runners on base and went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position...The loss snapped the Rangers' eight-game home winning streak against the Royals.