Rangers 3 - 4 Royals
Final
  for this game

Royals conclude series with visiting Rangers

Jun 7, 2015 - 2:21 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of teams moving in opposite directions get together at Kauffman Stadium Sunday afternoon, as the Kansas City Royals close out a three-game series with the Texas Rangers.

The Royals, who have an eight-game road trip set to begin at Minnesota on Monday, were the hottest team in the majors not that long ago, but the squad has now lost three straight and five of the last six after taking a tumble on Saturday, 4-2.

Starting pitcher Yordano Ventura was knocked around for four runs on six hits, walking two, in just three innings of action for KC. A quartet of relievers were able to stop the bleeding, but the damage had already been done and the Kansas City offense could account for no more than two runs, one of those coming on a home run by Salvador Perez. Jarrod Dyson, who finished with three of his team's nine hits, scored the other.

Picking up the win was Wandy Rodriguez as he allowed just a single run on six hits and struck out four in seven strong innings. Shawn Tolleson gave up a late run, but still settled in for his seventh save of the campaign.

"We're playing good right now," Rodriguez said. "We're playing good defense and hitting the ball well."

Shin-Soo Choo had two hits and a pair of RBI for the visitors, winners of three in a row and 14 of the last 17 in order to move to within 3 1/2 games of first place in the American League West behind the Houston Astros. Hanser Alberto collected three hits and scored a run as well.

Texas has won nine of 10 away from home and is now 19-11 on the road, tying the 1999 team for the best 30-game mark in franchise history. The club has also won nine straight when scoring in the first inning, an effort that is not lost on manager Jeff Banister.

"It's always crucial to get on the board first, especially on the road" Banister said. "The kind of pitcher we faced today, if we can get to him early, it's a big benefit to us."

Shooting for his second straight win and the fifth in the last six decisions, Colby Lewis takes the hill for the Rangers this afternoon in Missouri. The right-hander, who is four strikeouts shy of 800 for his career, is coming off a strong showing against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday as he earned his fifth win of the campaign.

Versus the Sox, Lewis permitted just two runs on six hits and fanned four over seven innings of action. However, the hurler also gave up a home run, the fourth in the last three outings after pitching in five games without allowing a single long ball.

Against the Royals in his career, Lewis has won just two and lost four, resulting in a 5.49 ERA in eight all-time appearances.

Over on the other side the hosts have penciled in Jeremy Guthrie as their starter to close out the series. The right-hander has a winning record, but the last two games have been problematic without much offensive support.

Following a disastrous meeting with the Yankees on May 25 when he was tagged for 11 runs on nine hits, including four home runs in just a single inning, Guthrie turned it around with a strong 5 2/3 innings versus Cleveland on Tuesday. However, even with just one run surrendered on two hits, the hurler failed to figure into the decision.

For his career, Guthrie has a 6-4 record with a 3.41 ERA in 18 outings versus Texas.






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