By MATT PIKE
Vinnie Pasquantino put the ball in the stands for the sixth time during the Kansas City Royals homestand, and the fourth game in a row, giving the Royals the lead on way to a 6-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday afternoon.
With the home run, Pasquantino is now one shy of tying the club record of five consecutive games with a homer, which was accomplished by Salvador Perez from Aug. 25-29, 2021, and Mike Sweeney from June 25-29, 2002.
The Royals took the lead first in the second inning, a solo home run by Nick Loftin sailing over the left field bullpen. In the third inning though, the Rangers tied up the game with two outs on an RBI single by Joc Pederson, driving in Wyatt Langford who walked with one out in the inning.
In the bottom half of the third inning, the Royals took the lead back, at first on what appeared to be an inside the park home run by Bobby Witt Jr. Fan interference though made it a ground rule double and Witt Jr ended up at second base, but still later scored on an RBi single by the captain Salvador Perez giving Kansas City a 2-1 lead.
Kansas City added two more runs in the fourth inning, a sacrifice fly by Tyler Tolbert scoring Jonathan India and a single by Maikel Garcia driving in Loftin, but in the top of the fifth mistakes cost the Royals and the Rangers tied the game. With the bases loaded and one out, a potential inning ending double play sailed past Witt Jr from India as Witt just missed the ball on allowing Corey Seager to score.
A single by Josh Smith was the tying blow, driving in Ezequial Duran and Evan Carter to tie up the game at 4-4. In the bottom half of the inning, Pasquantino led off the inning with his solo home run to give the Royals the lead back though. A bases loaded walk to Luke Maile in the seventh inning scored the final run, bringing home Perez for the Royals.
Angel Zerpa earned the win in relief, improving to 5-1 on the season, pitching 1 2/3 innings with one strikeout. Carlos Estévez earned his 33rd save, also striking out one, in a 1-2-3 ninth inning. At the plate, Perez was 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Witt Jr was 2-for-5 with a double and two stolen bases, while Pasquantino was 1-for-5 with the home run and an RBI.
Kansas City now travels to Detroit for a massive AL Central clash. Ryan Bergert (1-1, 2.75 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals against Casey Mize (12-4, 3.63 ERA) for the Tigers. First pitch is at 6:10pm with pregame coverage beginning at 5:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.