By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Royals offense faltered, producing just three hits, in a 6-0 shutout loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday afternoon in Arlington, Texas.
The Royals recorded two of the three hits in the third inning before being held without another hit until the ninth inning. The Rangers took the lead in the fourth inning on a home run from Josh Smith, before adding the final five runs in the eighth inning.
Royals starter Michael Wacha took the loss, despite giving up just three hits and one run, striking out five batters through five innings. Will Smith and Chris Stratton pitched two scoreless innings, before Angel Zerpa gave up five runs, recording just one out in the eighth inning.
The Royals will wrap up the series in Arlington on Sunday, sending Alec Marsh to the mound to take on Rangers starter and former Missouri Tiger Max Scherzer who will make his season debut returning from the injury list.
First pitch for the series finale will be at 1:35pm on Sunday with pregame at 1pm on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).