ARLINGTON, Texas — Jack Leiter delivered a dominant performance on the mound and Ezequiel Duran ignited an explosive first inning as the Texas Rangers completed a three-game series sweep of the reeling Kansas City Royals with a 6-3 victory on Sunday.
The win marks the Rangers’ second series sweep of the season, while sending the Royals deeper into a tailspin. Kansas City has now dropped six consecutive games and nine of its last 11, struggling mightily on the road with a major-league-worst seven away victories this season.
Texas wasted no time tracking down Royals starter Michael Wacha. In the bottom of the first inning, Josh Jung doubled with one out and Jake Burger drew a two-out walk to set the stage. Duran then launched a sharp drive off the left-field wall that bounced away from outfielder Isaac Collins, driving in both runners for a quick 2-0 lead. The Rangers kept the line moving as Alejandro Osuna laced an RBI single and subsequently scored on a double by Kyle Higashioka, capping a deflating four-run frame for the visitors.
Jung struck again in the fourth, lining a two-run single with the bases loaded to extend the Rangers’ lead to 6-0. It marked Jung’s 19th multihit performance of the year.
That cushion was more than enough for Leiter, who was virtually unhittable through the early frames. The right-hander allowed just two hits while racking up nine strikeouts through the first five innings alone, including striking out the side in the fifth.
Leiter’s only minor blemish in the early going came in the fourth when Bobby Witt Jr. managed to reach base despite striking out, courtesy of a wild pitch. Witt later singled and swiped his 17th base of the season in the sixth. Leiter finally exited the game in the same frame after issuing a walk to Jac Caglianone. Reliever Jalen Beeks entered the jam and preserved the shutout by getting Collins to line out to center field.
In total, Leiter earned the win to move to 3-4 on the year, surrendering just three hits and two walks while matching his season-high with 10 strikeouts across 5 2/3 scoreless innings.
Kansas City managed to chip away late against the Texas bullpen. Lane Thomas put the Royals on the board with an RBI single in the seventh that scored Michael Massey. Massey then provided a late spark in the eighth, crushing a two-run home run—his fourth of the season—to narrow the deficit to 6-3.
Wacha took the loss for Kansas City, falling to 4-3 after giving up six runs on eight hits and four walks over five tough innings.
In the ninth, Witt gave the Royals a faint glimmer of hope by slicing a double, but Texas closer Jacob Latz slammed the door to secure his seventh save in nine chances.
Up Next
Kansas City travels to Cincinnati on Monday, where right-hander Luinder Avila will serve as the opener against Reds right-handed ace Chase Burns (7-1, 1.96 ERA).
